Southampton v Watford Saturday, 13 August 2016 - 3pm As has been much-discussed, the new 2016 season is now upon us, and we begin with the relatively short hop down to Hampshire. The fact that this is a new season means we can't really look at our opponents' form thus far, but the fact that they have finished 7th and 6th in the Premier League suggests they are a formidable opponent. Last Five Meetings 13 January 2016 - Southampton 2-0 Watford 23 August 2015 - Watford 0-0 Southampton 25 February 2012 - Watford 0-3 Southampton 1 October 2011 - Southampton 4-0 Watford 7 April 2009 - Watford 2-2 Southampton Last Time Around Southampton 2-0 Watford 13 January 2016 How ironic that the game we are going to remember for this preview was a particularly forgettable one. However, one thing worth mentioning is that Southampton set up a three-at-the-back formation, one that has been much-touted as being deployed at Watford. Certainly, our strikers were contained that day. Southampton have since changed manager, but if the past few seasons are anything to go by, the Saints don't get many decisions wrong. The Referee Roger East took charge of five Watford matches last season, resulting in two wins and three losses for the Hornets. He took charge of Southampton thrice, resulting in two wins and a loss. Interestingly, Roger East is being assisted by linesman Richard West, oddly enough, at Southampton. Team News Brice Dja Djedje was not fit enough to partake in the friendly against Lorient, and is expected to miss out this time around. Aside from this, Walter Mazzarri should have a full squad to choose from. Predicted line-up: Gomes; Britos, Prodl, Cathcart; Holebas, Capoue, Suarez, Watson, Anya; Deeney, Ighalo Levon's Prediction If the opening fixtures of the season are anything to go by, Watford may end up being slow-burners, and this tricky tie is probably a good one to get out of the way early on. While many may cite Watford being handicapped on the basis of having a new Head Coach, Southampton are no different, but the Saints have had a successful pre-season, and should be raring to go. It will be up to Watford to match them. Prediction: Southampton 2-0 Watford Welcome back, everyone!
We will win this one. In answer to you Levon, I've not seen anything come round as I was happy to do one at some point so kept an eye out. I say fill yer boots and crack on with it!
Opening days are often hard to predict (Villa won on Day One last season!!) but... I predict a 2-1 win for us (to be followed a run of a few defeats unfortunately, but I think we will make a winning start). I believe this could be the first match in PL history where both sides will have a new Manager/Head Coach, although Sunderland v Man City will share this accolade later this weekend. But ours would be the first PL fixture with both debutant managers being new to this country. Unless anybody can correct me?
5-0 to Southampton. Theme of the day will be; defence all at sea failing to understand the system, Anya running up and down the wing like Roadrunner and overhitting every cross into the stands or cutting back and passing to our ultra deep, ultra defensive three man midfield, who after a couple of five yard passes between themselves run out of ideas attempt to hoof it towards the incredibly isolated Deeney and Ighalo, leading to an inevitable loss of possession and a Southampton goal on the counter attack.
I'm really annoyed that Dja Djedje's injured, I'd really like to see him start at right wing back/right back. Amidst all the understandable trepidation and debate over whether we are stronger or not on here, I feel like his signing has come across as rather low key, but he is a genuine upgrade on what we had, and a direct fix to one of the main issues we all pinpointed last season: the shocking play of Nyom over more than half a season. Apart from this, I'm a bit worried, because as others have already pointed out, it feels like we really have no idea as it stands how the team will line up or play. I know I hope that Anya doesn't start, but I'm not broadly pessimistic or optimistic. It sounds stupid/redundant, but we'll really only get any kind of indication on how we'll perform this season when we actually see them doing it, more so than is normal for a team given the sort of 'hard reset' Walter's arrival and our selling activity has prompted. One of the things I think we've forgotten thanks to injury and team-wide terrible form is the fact that we should have a fit and firing Capoue back in the middle of the park. That's a genuinely exciting prospect, not least him being back in the actual middle of the park, and he can stand up against any midfielder outside the top 5 or 6 at the least in terms of ability and potential influence. If he hits the ground running the way he did last season, we could be in for a good match.
I feel vaguely optimistic about this season and this match. I'll go: Southampton 3-2 Watford Long (81), Deeney (og) (90+3), Deeney (og) (90+6); Deeney (p) (41), Vydra (79)
Y'know, posts like this really don't support your fervent claim on the other thread that contrary to popular belief, you're not a miserable moaning ******* all the time, ironically apart from one isolated post about Nyom.
1-0. Ighalo, despite being in Van Basten territory, having only 4 defenders surrounding him, a goalkeeper covering all the angles and two players on each post, unselfishly picks out an unmarked Deeney inside the 6 yard box who taps home. Pffff...
They were like that this time last year (or at least a bit later when they drew 0-0 with us) and look where they ended up. They'll still be formidable opponents, after the last four encounters just hope we can actually (a) get more than a shot on target (b) give them a decent game and not a mere training session!
I reckon even without the omission of Cathcart we would have lined up 4-3-3 and without him I am sure that's what we will do, and switch to 3-5-2 if we need to chase the game
Hoping we line up 4-3-3 since we have looked abismyal in pre-season with a 3-5-2. Zuniga, Kabasele, Britos, Holebas Doucoure,Watson, Capoue Sinclair, Deeney, Ighalo
Match abandoned after 22 minutes due to fog . Difficult to state when the replay date will be set and therefore too tricky to predict a score without knowing who will be available or whether we will have signed Pereyra by then .
