Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Watford

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Watford

August 13 , 2016 15:00pm - St. Mary’s Stadium

Premier League

Two teams with new coaches at the helm will go head-to-head on the opening day of the new Premier League season as Claude Puel`s Southampton take on Walter Mazzari`s Watford at St.Mary`s Stadium on Saturday.

New coaches looking for winning starts

Despite leading Southampton FC to Europa League qualification last season, Coach Ronald Koeman has forgone the prospect of coaching in Europe this term to take up the reins at Everton. In what has been a summer of departures for the Saints, more than half a dozen players have also departed the club including Graziano Pelle, Juanmi, Gaston Ramirez, Kelvin Davis, Sadio Mane, Jason McCarthy and Victor Wanyama.

The mass exodus of players raised more than £50m in revenue of which under half has been reinvested in the squad by new boss Claude Puel. Notable newcomers include Nathan Redmond, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Alex McCarthy and Jeremy Pied.

The Saints are coming into this game on the back of a 1-0 win over La Liga stalwarts Athletic Club who paid a visit to St. Mary`s last Sunday. That game rounded off a successful pre-season campaign in which Puel`s men won four and drew on of their five games.

Meanwhile, Watford will play their first competitive match under former Inter and Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri following the departure of Quique Sánchez Flores in the summer.

The player merry-go-round also continues at Vicarage with Miguel Layun, Gabriele Angella, Adalberto Penaranda, José Manuel Jurado, Luke Simpson, George Byers and Joel Ekstrand all on their way out. While Jerome Sinclair, Christian Kabasele, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Isaac Success are amongst those who have arrived at the club.

The Hornets concluded their uninspiring pre-season campaign with a 2-2 draw away to French club FC Lorient in which Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo bagged the goals.

Team news

On the injury front, both Ryan Bertrand and Florin Gardos are expected to miss out for the home side.

Recent form (League)

Southampton: WDWWW

Watford: DLDWW

Betting odds and tips

Both sides have made plenty of changes but the home side will be starting from a stronger base. As a result, a home win should be expected this weekend.

You can back the home win at 3/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Go To bet365

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10/08/2016     © Frixo 2024