TEAM NEWS

Southampton could welcome back top scorer Graziano Pelle, who has been sidelined since Christmas with a knee injury.

Midfielder Victor Wanyama serves the final game of his two-match ban.

Watford's top scorer Odion Ighalo is set to be restored to the starting line-up after being on the bench for the FA Cup win over Newcastle.

Defender Nathan Ake completes a three-match ban, which he received for a straight red card against Tottenham.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Simon Brotherton: "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."

Twitter: @simonbrotherton 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "The confidence dropped a little but about 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."

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."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Things will not be easy for Southampton against a Watford team who are well-organised and in good form.

But Saints have got to turn the corner at some point because they have got some good players.

Lawro's full predictions v actor Elis James

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The teams are meeting for just the fourth time in the Premier League.
• Southampton won 2-0 the only previous occasion they have hosted Watford in the Premier League in April 2000, a result which effectively condemned the Hornets to relegation.
• Watford have didn't register a shot on target in the 0-0 draw in August.

Southampton

• Southampton have lost six of their last eight Premier League games (W1, D1) and could lose three in a row for the first time this season.
• Only three teams have scored more than Southampton's 17 home Premier League goals in this campaign.
• Saints were fourth after 20 games last season, with 36 points. This season they're 13th with 24 points.
• According to Opta, Virgil van Dijk has won the highest percentage of aerial duels among Premier League players to have been involved in 100 or more this season (70%).

Watford

• Watford have won 15 points away from home, one more than they have at Vicarage Road this season.
• All seven of Watford's Premier League defeats have come against the clubs occupying the top seven places in the table.
• The Hornets have scored in each of their last 11 league matches, the joint-longest current such run in the top flight.
• Watford have been losing at half-time in just one of their 20 league games this season - an achievement only Crystal Palace can match.