Watford finished 16th in the Championship last season
Southampton start as one of the favourites to win the Championship title
Recommended bet: Southampton to win, Cyle Larin to score and over 2.5 goals @ 5/1 with LiveScore Bet
Watford finished a lowly 16th in the Championship last season, winning just 14 of their 46 games. and have not featured in the Premier League since 2021-22, something that manager Alessio Dionisi will be looking to rectify this time around.
As for Southampton, Tonda Eckert led the Saints to the play-off final last term before they were expelled for spying on opponents, and they start the new season with a four-point deduction.
Getting points on the board early will be vital for Eckert and his men.
The latest Watford vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Watford will likely feature a similar line-up to the one that saw off Crawley Town 1-0 in the Carabao Cup last week, while Nestory Irankunda is no longer an option after completing a move to Sporting.
Eckert does not have any fresh injury worries while new signings Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama add to a wealth options, although Shea Charles and Ross Stewart have moved on this summer.
The latest Watford vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Southampton have a superior head-to-head record against Watford since the start of the 2023/24 season, winning three and drawing three of the last six matches.
The Saints have not lost to Watford since a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League in March 2022.
Eckert’s men won 22 Championship matches last term, while Watford managed only 14 victories.
Three of the last four meetings between the two sides have featured three or more goals.
There were at least three goals in 30 of Southampton’s 46 league matches last season.
Watford conceded 65 goals in the Championship last season, with only five teams having allowed more.
Cyle Larin, who scored against Colchester last weekend, bagged the winner against the Hornets in February among eight league goals in the second half of 2025-26 before making his loan move permanent this summer.
The latest Watford vs Southampton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Both teams will be desperate to get off to a positive start in the Championship, especially considering the calibre of sides relegated from the Premier League.
Southampton look the most likely to do that though, given their recent record in this fixture and their greater strength in depth, while they will be doubly motivated by the points deduction.
The Saints ultimately finished fourth last season and should make their extra class tell, while Cyle Larin can celebrate making his move permanent with a goal on Sunday, having hit the ground running.
Only Championship winners Coventry scored more goals than the Saints last season so, coupled with Watford's defensive issues, there should be a few goals at Vicarage Road.
Score prediction: Watford 1-2 Southampton
Back Southampton to win, Cyle Larin to score and over 2.5 goals at 5/1 with LiveScore Bet.
