Southampton vs Watford predicted team lineup, Premier League

Ralph Hasenhuttl made nine changes to his side for the EFL Cup round of 16 contest and it’s reasonable to expect a similar number of alterations for the weekend too.

That despite a spirited performance in a brand-new formation in the country’s capital, pegging back Blues for a 1-1 draw and only being knocked out of the competition on the lottery of penalties.

But it was a draw last time out in the Premier League for Saints too, after a 2-2 with fellow strugglers Burnley at St Mary’s that the home side really should have won.

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After going behind, Tino Livramento and Armando Broja both found the net but were pegged back as Maxwell Cornet finished a brace for the visitors.

Maxwel Cornet scored twice at St Mary's last weekend (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Despite a change in formation midweek, I anticipate a return to the 4-2-2-2 that picked up a win against Leeds and should have made it two wins on the trot but for some poor finishing.

James Ward-Prowse is available for selection again after he finished serving his three-match ban for a red card at Chelsea, at the beginning of October.

Using previous lineups and Hasenhuttl’s pre-match press conference clues, here’s how we think Saints will line up.

Goalkeeper

Fraser Forster gave Hasenhuttl plenty to think about with his performance at Chelsea on Tuesday, but it will be Alex McCarthy who retains his Premier League shirt until he loses it himself.

Alex McCarthy has started every Premier League game this season (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Defence

Tino Livramento will be restored to the starting XI after Kyle Walker-Peters operated in that position midweek, although he put in a great performance. Mohammed Salisu will be the only defender who keeps his place, with Jan Bednarek and Romain Perraud coming back into the starting fold to make the same defence as against Burnley and Leeds.

Mohammed Salisu is Saints' strongest centre-back (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Midfield

James Ward-Prowse makes a return from suspension to face the side that he has scored against with free-kicks in both of his last two meetings. He will partner Oriol Romeu, who was rested from the start midweek, in centre of midfield. Ibrahima Diallo will be unlucky to lose his place, though.

Stuart Armstrong isn’t featured in the training photos and could be one of those with a minor muscle injury that Hasenhuttl has mentioned, and that could mean Theo Walcott retains his place in the side, after he was introduced from the bench at Chelsea before seeing a decent penalty saved in the shoot-out. If S. Armstrong is indeed out, it will be a big, big blow going forward. Moi Elyounoussi should be okay to return to the starting fold, though. 

Moi Elyounoussi had surgery on a hand ligaments injury this week (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Attack

Armando Broja has been ruled out through an ankle injury which means it’s highly likely Nathan Redmond keeps his place in the team. To partner him it will be either Che Adams or Adam Armstrong, and given the Scottish international scored (a tap-in) at Stamford Bridge it will likely be him.

Armando Broja will not be available at Watford (Pic: Stuart Martin)

Full predicted team

Southampton FC predicted team vs Watford