Watford vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 07/12/2023, 11:25  by Joseph King | Modified on 09/12/2023 at 02:00 in Championship Prediction

Two of the top in-form teams in the division face off on Saturday as 10th-place Watford host fourth-placed Southampton for matchday 20 of the Championship. Watford have really turned their season around after a disastrous start to the campaign which saw them win just two of their first 11 league fixtures. Their last eight matches have seen the Hornets win five, draw two and lose just once as they have now narrowed the gap on the playoff positions to just three points. They’ll face a significant challenge here if they are to end Southampton’s unbeaten run but confidence around Vicarage Road will be sky-high thanks to the team’s recent resurgence. Watford’s most recent outing saw them triumph 2-1 away from home over Hull City as they secured all three points despite being largely second-best. The Hornets are a much more potent attacking side on home soil, netting 21 times in 10 games compared to just seven goals in nine on the road.

Southampton sit atop the form table along with Leeds United with five wins and a draw in their last six Championship appearances. The team is closing in on three complete months without defeat as their last setback occurred in September. Since that loss, the Saints have gone on an 11 match unbeaten run, reeling off eight victories during that stretch. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-0 home win over Cardiff City, marking the fourth straight that Southampton have won at St. Mary’s. The recent hot streak has Russell Martin’s side up to fourth in the standings on 37 points and looking to close the gap on the top two automatic promotion spots. They currently trail second-place Ipswich by eight points and leaders Leicester by nine. The hosts have seen a number of high-scoring games this season and their average goals total of 3.30 at home ranks as the third-most in the league.