New era for Southampton as they welcome Watford to St Marys

Southampton will hope the recent news of Vice Chairman Les Reed being sacked from the club will not have an impact on the pitch.

Mark Hughes has been under considerable pressure in recent weeks after a poor run of form at the start of this season. The South Coast side have won just once all season, a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace. Now that Reed has been let go, it is unknown whether Hughes position at the club has been weakened or, in fact, strengthened.

Watford meanwhile are enjoying life under Javi Gracia, they currently sit eighth in the Premier League and are playing well, scoring goals and winning games.

A loss last time out to Newcastle stopped a third win in a row after comfortable victories against Huddersfield Town and Wolves.

The visiting side will be without Sebastian Prodl, Daryl Janmaat and Tom Cleverley, all of whom are long term absentees. Whilst captain Troy Deeney is a doubt with a hamstring injury and has been training away from the team this week.

Southampton have just two injury doubts ahead of this game, a late check on both will determine if they take part against this Watford side. Wesley Hoedt has a foot infection which has prevented him from training whilst Mario Lemina is recovering from a sore thigh.

These sides last met in the FA Cup at St Mary’s, Southampton winning 1-0 after an early Jack Stephens header. Although Watford had the better of the league form, winning 2-0 away and clawing back from 2-0 down at home to salvage a draw, a match which was marred by the deception of Abdoulaye Doucoure, who punched in the equalising goal.

Southampton will be hoping Danny Ings can continue his goal-scoring run this season, having bagged four of Southampton’s last six goals, he will need support from Charlie Austin and Shane Long if Southampton are to get themselves out of this relegation battle.

Watford meanwhile will hope Roberto Pereyra can continue his rich vein of form, the Argentine has had a blistering start to the campaign, with five goals and two in his last three appearances. If Watford are to win this, it is imperative that Pereyra performs at his best.

The pressure is mounting on Hughes, with unrest off the pitch as well as on the pitch now, Watford can take advantage of a club in decline.