Simon Brotherton
MOTD commentator

"Southampton's poor run of results seems slightly odd considering how well they've played when I've commentated on them this season, particularly in their 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"The match at West Ham over Christmas was a case in point. They were miles better than their hosts in the first half and should have had the game sewn up by the break, but didn't and ended up losing 2-1.

"I sensed Ronald Koeman was quietly seething afterwards and could understand why.

"It won't get any easier here for Saints, against a lively and confident Watford team who've so far won more points on the road than they have at home."

We are one minute from kick-off. It was 'sleeting' it down earlier. Thankfully for the players and fans it's stopped - but it's still a bitterly cold evening down on the Hampshire Basin.

Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores: "Maybe Southampton last year were better than the squad they have.

"They were fighting against Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, amazing teams. Sometimes one team is doing amazing performances under the level that they have.

"Results are important for the confidence of the players. They didn't start well so they have problems with confidence, but they have an amazing team, a good manager, so the match will be tough for us."

Saints manager Ronald Koeman: "The confidence dropped a little bit [after] the last few results. It's an important week - Watford at home and West Brom at home. 

"You like to win and you know the Premier League is a tough competition and sometimes difficult to explain, more chances than our opponents, more possession than our opponents and finally we lose the game, and that is sometimes difficult."

Alistair Bruce-Ball
BBC Radio 5 live commentator at St Mary's

Image source, BBC Sport

Now 19...it's still low.

Image source, Opta

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster returns to starting XI for the first time since injuring his knee against Burnley last March. He replaces the injured Maarten Stekelenburg. Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand are also brought into the line-up.

Italian striker Graziano Pelle recovers from a knee injury to take a spot on the bench.

Image source, Opta

Watford make just one change from the 2-1 Premier League defeat by Manchester City with defender Sebastian Prodl in for Craig Cathcart.   

Team news from St Mary's coming right up in 3... 2... 1...

Watford in Europe next season? 

Victory at St Mary's would see them move to within three points of fifth-place West Ham, who themselves are one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

For a newly-promoted team, whose squad does not contain household names and who play to home crowds of about 20,000, finishing in a European spot would be an extraordinary achievement.*

They are five points and four positions ahead of Southampton, who some believe should be where the Hornets are in the table.

One win in eight is a rotten stat. They seem to start matches well then lose their way. Are the tactics too defensive? Bar the 4-0 win against Arsenal, goals have also been hard to come by.

Predictions and thoughts for this one at #bbcfootball, external or text 81111 (UK only).

*A paragraph on Watford without mentioning Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo!

Image source, PA