Barclays Premier League |
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| Venue: Vicarage Road Date: Sunday, 23 August |
TEAM NEWS
Alessandro Diamanti could make his Watford debut if he receives international clearance in time.
Fellow new signings Miguel Britos and Giedrius
Arlauskis could also feature, with Nathan Ake set to be on the bench
after moving on loan from Chelsea.
Southampton will assess their squad after their midweek Europa League draw.
Ryan Bertrand and Jordy Clasie are out with knee and hamstring problems respectively, while Fraser Forster is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Ian Dennis: "For Quique Sanchez Flores, managing in the Premier League is paradise."Just ahead of the new season I had the pleasure of spending time in the company of the 50-year-old Spaniard and he is an engaging character.
"Respect, tradition and passion are the values he most admires about the English game.
"Ronald Koeman actually succeeded Flores as Valencia manager in 2007 and I'm looking forward to the tactical battle between the two.
"I'm also interested to see how the Europa League impacts on Southampton this season. They dropped points after Vitesse Arnhem in a game they should have won at Newcastle United, and surprisingly their last league victory away from home was early February."
Twitter: @Iandennisbbc
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores: "We want to get our first win. We are ready to get off the mark."Southampton play with the ball, they try to play well with quick, fast players on the counter-attack. They sometimes mix their play, so we will need to thing about these things."
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "Of course after the defeat against Everton we need a win. We know that.
"Sometimes you don't want to put too much pressure on winning, but the best is to learn about mistakes.
"I believe every game we will be stronger. We will have more organisation, but we have to improve and of course that is easier when you win games."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Watford created lots of chances against West Brom last week without taking them, and I think the Hornets could be in for another frustrating afternoon. Lawro's full predictions against comedian Jake Whitehall.MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head- Watford and Southampton have met just twice before in the Premier League, in the 1999-2000 season. The Hornets lost 2-0 away but won 3-2 at Vicarage Road.
- Their last meeting was in the Championship in February 2012, when Southampton completed the double over Watford with a 3-0 away win, having already won 4-0 at home.
- Watford are still looking for their first win since returning to the top flight.
- However, the Hornets are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games.
- They were unbeaten in their first eight home league games in last season's Championship.
- Watford have made 58 interceptions in their first two matches, more than any other side in the Premier League.
- Saints have won just one of their last eight Premier League games (D2, L5).
- They haven't won any of their last eight away matches in the Premier League. Their last victory on the road was 1-0 at QPR on 7 February.
- Southampton have gone eight Premier League matches without a clean sheet, conceding more than once in seven of them.
- Two of Graziano Pelle's 13 Premier League goals have come away from home.
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