Southampton vs Watford predictions: Hornets can battle for St Mary’s stalemate

Alex Jack

Spotlight

Valerien Ismael's Watford have been the draw specialists of late

- The last two meetings between these sides have ended in 1-1 draws
- Southampton are unbeaten in their last 23 games in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Draw

Southampton and Watford will be looking to prolong their stay in the FA Cup when they lock horns in a fourth-round replay at St Mary’s on Tuesday.

With a trip to Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round for the winner, it will be interesting to see the strength of teams selected by both managers for this one, as Saints and the Hornets also battle for promotion from the Championship this season.

Team news

Joe Aribo remains missing for Southampton due to his Africa Cup of Nations involvement

Southampton are still without Joe Aribo as he is away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Following his move from Sunderland last year, Ross Stewart is still waiting to make his full Saints debut but the Scotland international’s muscle injury has not fully recovered and he will miss this encounter.

The match also comes too soon for Kamaldeen Sulemana, with the 21-year-old Ghana international expected to return in mid-February from a hamstring strain.

As for Watford, midfielder Edo Kayembe remains on the sidelines with a calf injury but in better news, both Mileta Rajovic and Emmanuel Dennis are pushing for starts after featuring off the bench against Cardiff City last time out.

The stats

There has not been much to choose from between these sides in recent years, with four of their last eight meetings finishing with a 1-1 scoreline at the full-time whistle.

These sides have played each other twice already this season at Vicarage Road and both those encounters ended 1-1.

Southampton are on an outstanding unbeaten run of 23 games in all competitions, with the last defeat for the south-coast outfit coming back on September 23 at Middlesbrough.

Watford have had a frustrating spell of late, drawing five of their last eight games in all competitions.

The latest Southampton vs Watford odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Much of this game will depend on how much either manager wants to face a strong Liverpool side at Anfield in the fifth round and risk their top players for this FA Cup replay.

Changes are likely to be made from the weekend’s Championship action and another scrappy encounter between these sides might well be on the cards at St Mary’s.

Considering the two stalemates already between these sides and the fact that Watford have drawn five of their last eight games in all competitions, another tie might well be in the offing in this one.

It would be little surprise to see this one head to a nerve-jangling penalty shootout, with a trip to Anfield in the week commencing February 26 the prize for one of these sides.

Back the draw at 16/5 with LiveScore Bet