Watford vs Southampton

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Championship · Aug 16, 2026 · 12:30

Final score: Watford 2–1 Southampton

Match preview

The Championship season kicks off with a fascinating encounter at Vicarage Road as Watford host Southampton. The Hornets endured a torrid end to last season, losing all of their final five league games and finishing with a 30% win rate. Their leaky defence, conceding 65 goals, will be a major concern against a prolific Saints attack.

Southampton, in contrast, come into this fixture on the back of a strong run, winning three and drawing two of their last five outings. Their impressive 82 goals scored last term highlights their attacking prowess. Recent head-to-head history also favours the Saints, who have avoided defeat in their last four meetings with Watford, including a 1-0 victory in their most recent clash. With the bookmakers favouring an away win and the 'over 2.5 goals' market looking appealing, expect Southampton to push for an early statement victory, while Watford will be desperate to halt their alarming slide and kickstart their campaign positively.

Standings

Watford: #13 · 5 Pts · 4 P (1W 2D 1L)
Southampton: #17 · 3 Pts · 4 P (2W 1D 1L)

Head-to-head

2026-02-07T12:31:00+00:00: Southampton 1–0 Watford
2025-08-30T14:00:00+00:00: Watford 2–2 Southampton
2024-04-13T14:00:00+00:00: Southampton 3–2 Watford
2024-02-06T19:45:00+00:00: Southampton 3–0 Watford
2024-01-28T14:00:00+00:00: Watford 1–1 Southampton

Lineups

Watford

1. F. Ravaglia, 23. O. H. Traore, 6. M. Pollock, 4. K. Keben, 16. M. Bola, 8. E. Bove, 5. H. Kyprianou, 14. K. Baah, 17. I. Bravo, 7. O. Maamma, 9. L. Kjerrumgaard

Southampton (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

1. D. Peretz, 14. J. Bree, 6. T. Harwood-Bellis, 5. J. Stephens, 3. R. Manning, 4. F. Downes, 27. K. Matsuki, 18. T. Fellows, 11. L. Dobbin, 7. L. Scienza, 22. B. Brereton Diaz

Match events

8' Card Yellow Card — H. Kyprianou (Watford)
12' Goal Normal Goal — I. Bravo (Watford)
13' Card Yellow Card — M. Pollock (Watford)
14' Card Yellow Card — C. Larin (Southampton)
18' Card Yellow Card — J. Bree (Southampton)
24' subst Substitution 1 — M. Bola (Watford) (assists: J. Zemura)
29' Goal Normal Goal — A. Nabizada (Watford)
43' Card Yellow Card — A. Nabizada (Watford)
56' Goal Normal Goal — C. Larin (Southampton) (assists: C. Bragg)
57' subst Substitution 1 — L. Dobbin (Southampton) (assists: F. Azaz)
61' subst Substitution 2 — E. Bove (Watford) (assists: E. Kayembe)
61' subst Substitution 3 — A. Nabizada (Watford) (assists: M. Adu Poku)
61' subst Substitution 4 — I. Bravo (Watford) (assists: M. Payero)
70' subst Substitution 2 — C. Larin (Southampton) (assists: D. Mubama)
70' subst Substitution 3 — C. Bragg (Southampton) (assists: S. Edozie)
72' Card Yellow Card — M. Doumbia (Watford)
74' Card Yellow Card — F. Downes (Southampton)
74' Card Yellow Card — O. Maamma (Watford)
77' subst Substitution 5 — O. Maamma (Watford) (assists: R. Vata)
84' Card Yellow Card — M. Payero (Watford)
89' subst Substitution 4 — K. Matsuki (Southampton) (assists: B. Brereton Diaz)