• Southampton are 14th in the Championship, seven points off the play-offs

• Watford climbed to eighth after Tuesday’s goalless draw at Hull

• Recommended bet: Southampton to win to nil

Four wins in five matches as Southampton interim coach earned Tonda Eckert the full-time position in early December but results have been mixed since then.

The Saints are in the same position (14th) as they were when Eckert was handed the role on a permanent basis and will need to get moving soon to have a chance of making the play-offs.

Watford are now in the midst of managerial change following Javi Gracia’s resignation on Monday, just three months after his return to the club for a second spell as head coach.

Charlie Daniels was in interim charge for Tuesday’s creditable goalless draw at high-flying Hull, which kept the Hornets in the race for the play-offs just three points off a place in the top six.

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Team news

Southampton lost top goalscorer Adam Armstrong to Wolves at the end of the January transfer window, but on the plus side they managed to fend off interest in defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Armstrong’s replacement is 30-year-old Canada striker Cyle Larin, who has arrived from Mallorca for his first taste of English football.

Watford’s lack of business in January was a prime reason for Gracia’s departure and the lack of options has been compounded by a growing injury list.

Nestory Irankunda is the latest significant absentee after his straight red card against Swansea last Saturday.

The latest Southampton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Southampton have won 10, drawn 10 and lost 10 in the Championship.

Saints have scored in 16 of Tonda Eckert’s 18 matches in charge.

Eckert has won five of his first eight home games with just one defeat. 

Watford are winless in six games in all competitions.

Only three Championship teams have lost fewer games than Watford (8).

Seven of Watford’s last nine league games have had under 2.5 goals.

The latest Southampton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

These teams are two of the draw specialists in the Championship. Watford are joint-leaders in the division with 11 draws and Southampton are just behind on 10.

Winning form has certainly deserted Watford in recent weeks. Since their 3-0 home success over poor travellers Birmingham on New Year’s Day, the Hornets have scored just three goals in six games, losing three and drawing three.

While they showed admirable durability in Tuesday’s goalless draw at Hull, the lack of cutting edge continues to put them at risk. 

The turmoil at the club and the lack of signings are other negative factors.

The Saints’ early home form under Eckert and their recent revival (two wins and a draw in their last three) suggest they are worth backing to get the job done.

A Southampton win to nil looks quite feasible at decent odds.

Back Southampton to win to nil, available at 11/5 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Southampton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet