Southampton seek fourth straight win over Watford

Southampton are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches against Watford, winning each of the last three (D3). Indeed, Saints have lost just two of their 13 meetings with the Hornets overall in the competition (W6 D5).

The average time of the first goal in Premier League meetings between Southampton and Watford is the 16th minute, with the earliest goal in the competition’s history being scored in this fixture (Shane Long, 8 seconds in April 2019). Of all fixtures to have seen at least 30 goals scored in the Premier League, only Manchester United v Sheffield United has an earlier average first goal (11 minutes).

Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse has scored four goals in his last five Premier League starts against Watford. Against no side has he scored more goals in the competition than his four against the Hornets.

Watford keeper Ben Foster concedes a goal on average every 84 minutes in the Premier League against Southampton. Of all teams he’s faced at least 10 times in the competition, only against Aston Villa, Burnley and Sunderland (all 1 in 90) does he have a better such rate.

The Scout’s FPL tips

– Stuart Armstrong (£5.8m) has scored both his goals this season in Saints’ last four fixtures, totalling 23 points. The midfielder’s 16 shots in that period were more than any team-mate and placed joint-fourth among all players in Fantasy. – – – Moussa Sissoko (£4.4m) has stepped up his output since the arrival of Roy Hodgson, netting both his goals in 2021/22 in his last four appearances. The midfielder also created eight chances in those fixtures, a team-leading total. 

Even the Premier League football betting experts don’t know what to expect here.