Watfordvs.Southampton

The hosts have largely struggled under new management during pre-season so far, whilst the visitors are yet to win this summer ahead of their respective 2022-23 campaign.

Match preview

New Watford boss Rob Edwards has found life difficult in his new role with the club so far, having won just one of his four pre-season outings to date.

League One opposition in the form of Cambridge United and Bolton Wanderers have already beaten the Hornets during the off-season, which came either side of a goalless draw with Greek outfit Panathinaikos.

However, those poor summer preparations were quickly improved with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, which coincided with the returns of star duo Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis.

The former had previously been restricted to only a substitute appearances against Bolton, whilst the latter had not featured during pre-season at all up to this point, with both not taking part in the summer training camp away.

Both are being heavily linked with moves away from Vicarage Road this summer, but Edwards has not ruled out either unexpectedly remaining at the club to play a part in their potential push for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Watford begin their quest with an opener against Sheffield United on August 1, and Edwards will be looking to make it successive wins to conclude their summer on a high note here.

Meanwhile, the visitors have contested just the two pre-season friendlies so far this summer, with the top flight kicking off its season a week later than the EFL.

The Saints will travel to Tottenham Hotspur in a tough season opener on August 6, but before then, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side must improve in their warmup contests with Watford on Saturday, and Monaco and Villarreal to follow in the coming weeks.

Southampton were defeated in their opening friendly of the summer during their Austrian training camp, with Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig defeating Hasenhuttl's men by a 3-1 scoreline.

Although the Saints will have been expected to lose that encounter, a response will have been wanted against Austria Klagenfurt on Monday, but a goalless draw was all that could be recorded despite their best efforts.

Will Smallbone and Ibrahima Diallo both struck the woodwork for Southampton, whilst Adam Armstrong saw his penalty kick saved on a frustrating evening.

The Premier League outfit return home to England for the trip to Watford on Saturday, and Hasenhuttl will be hopeful that he can witness a first victory of the summer for his side ahead of tough tests in the finale of their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign.

Watford pre-season form:

Southampton pre-season form:

Team News

With fresh talk of a potential move away, Dennis could well be left out of Watford's squad to face Southampton on Saturday.

Imran Louza remains absent from training until mid August owing to injury, but Tom Cleverley could play a part having recently re-joined first-team training after complaining of a sore calf earlier in pre-season.

Summer-recruit Vakoun Bayo was absent against Wycombe last weekend due to illness, but the forward should play a part here alongside fellow arrival Rey Manaj in some capacity.

As for the visitors, they will remain without Valentino Livramento until November due to the serious knee injury that he picked up against Brighton & Hove Albion back in April.

Captain James Ward-Prowse will be hoping to play his first minutes of pre-season after missing out in the opening two friendlies due to a knock.

Wingers Nathan Redmond and Theo Walcott, as well as full-back Romain Perraud, are also in the same boat, after being kept behind in England in order to build up their fitness ahead of the new campaign.

Goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Willy Caballero were left out of the squad for the goalless draw on Monday, but neither have picked up an injury, so will compete with Alex McCarthy for a start in between the posts.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Kabasele, Kamara; Kayembe, Gosling, Dele-Bashiru; Sarr, Manaj, Pedro

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Salisu; Djenepo, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi; Adams, Aribo

We say: Watford 1-1 Southampton

This could well be an even contest here due to the differing stages of summer preparations that the two sides find themselves in.

The hosts will certainly have the edge in terms of overall fitness over their opponents at Vicarage Road, but after both have struggled for form during their friendlies so far, we can see the two cancelling each other out to finish level.

Previews by email