Match Pack: Watford vs Saints
Saints are back on the road and looking to extend their 11 game unbeaten run in the Championship. Get set for the trip to Watford with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Watford vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship
Vicarage Road
Saturday 9th December, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistants: Shaun Hudson, Matthew McGrath
Fourth official: Tom Reeves
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Saints will be in their white and teal away kit, last worn in October when Ryan Fraser’s stoppage-time strike earned all three points at Hull.
Ryan Fraser celebrates his winning goal against Hull in October.
HOW TO WATCH?
There will be no video coverage of Saturday's game on Saints Play to fans in the UK and Ireland because of the 3pm kick-off blackout, but it will be available to all international fans. The cost for a Video Pass for this game will be £10.
Alternatively, everyone, including those of you in the UK and Ireland, will be able to listen to audio coverage of the weekend’s action.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Saints boast the longest unbeaten run in the top four divisions and will want to keep the heat on the top two heading into the busy festive period.
The Hornets could sting, however, with Valérien Ismaël’s side picking up three wins from their last four games, including back-to-back victories last week over Norwich and Hull.
TEAM NEWS
Saints are boosted by the return to fitness of Will Smallbone, who missed last Saturday's win over Cardiff, and Jack Stephens who has been out since August.
Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ross Stewart and Juan Larios remain long-term absentees.
THE MANAGERS
Valérien Ismaël: To follow.
Russell Martin: "This is the toughest game we have had in a while.
"They are playing some really good football and they can mix their game up. It's a challenge for us and the players know that."
TOP SCORERS
Watford
Goals:
Mileta Rajović 7
Bayo, Martins 4
Yáser Asprilla 3
Assists
Louza, Sema 3
Asprilla, Ince, Dele-Bashiru, Porteous 2
Eight players 1
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 12
Adams, Smallbone 3
Walker-Peters, Edozie, Alcaraz, S Armstrong, Fraser 2
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 4
Kamaldeen Sulemana 3
Adams, Walker-Peters, Manning 2
ONES TO WATCH
Mileta Rajović: Watford's top scorer has four goals in his last three games at Vicarage Road, including a brace in a 5-0 win over Norwich.
Charly Alcaraz: Russell Martin's side are yet to taste defeat when Alcaraz has been named in the starting eleven this season.
Starting in wins over Bristol City and Cardiff last week - providing an assist against the Bluebirds - the Argentinean will be targeting a third successive start.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 57
Watford: 19
Draws: 13
Saints: 25
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
March 2022: Saints 1-2 Watford (Elyounoussi)
October 2021: Watford 0-1 Saints (Adams)
June 2020: Watford 1-3 Saints (Ings 2, Ward-Prowse)
November 2019: Saints 2-1 Watford (Ings, Ward-Prowse)
April 2019: Watford 1-1 Saints (Long)
DID YOU KNOW?
- Saints are unbeaten in their last eight league visits to Watford (W4 D4), winning each of their last two at Vicarage Road.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Not joining us at Vicarage Road? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints travel to Watford.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
