Southampton vs Watford Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 05/02/2024, 08:00  by Ian John | Modified on 06/02/2024 at 06:45 in FA Cup Prediction

Southampton host Watford at St Mary's in this FA Cup Fourth Round Replay, with a trip to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool on the cards for the winner. The first game saw the two teams draw 1-1 at Vicarage Road, with a late equaliser for Southampton forcing a replay. The Saints have gone 23 games unbeaten since losing at Middlesbrough last year, a run which manager Russell Martin should be hugely proud of and one which has taken them up to second place in the Championship. That good run continued at the weekend as they defeated Rotherham 2-0 on the road thanks to first half goals from Jan Bednarek and Adam Armstrong, the latter scoring his 15th goal of the season. It will be interesting to see what team Russell Martin picks for this game, now that his charges occupy 2nd in the Championship table. He may decide to rest some players ahead of next weekend's clash with Huddersfield Town at St Mary's. 

Since drawing with Southampton in the FA Cup Fourth Round, watford have failed to score in their next two games, a 0-0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday and a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff City. That defeat saw Watford drop down to 11th in the Championship table. Valerian Ismael will be hoping his side can rediscover their scoring touch in this replay as otherwise they could be in real trouble against one of the Championship's most in-form teams. One crumb of comfort for Hornets fans is that Watford are unbeaten away from home in their last seven games, winning four and drawing three, and their away record is one of the top five in the division. However with six wins in a row, they are facing a tough task against a Southampton side with the best home record in the last six games of all Championship teams.