Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton anticipates an uneasy outcome for Southampton as they shift their attention to the upcoming Watford match, diverting from Championship football for the weekend at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup fourth round. The draw has resulted in intriguing matchups between clubs in the same division, and the clash between Watford and Southampton marks their second encounter of the season, offering a chance for one team to progress to the last 16 of the prestigious cup competition.
Southampton enters the fixture with a club-record unbeaten run since September, while Watford, managed by Valerien Ismael, welcomes the return of Emmanuel Dennis on loan from Nottingham Forest. Despite the possibility of both managers making significant changes to their regular starting lineups, Sutton predicts a draw in Sunday’s match. However, he foresees Southampton prevailing in the subsequent replay, citing their impressive unbeaten streak and the fearless style of play under manager Russell Martin.
Sutton acknowledges the potential challenge from Watford, currently in the play-off race, and points out the previous draw between the two teams at Vicarage Road in December. While another draw may occur this time, Sutton believes Southampton will ultimately secure the victory, predicting a 1-1 scoreline in the initial match and a triumph for the Saints in the replay.
Reflecting on their first league encounter in the 2023-24 season, which ended in a draw in December, Sutton highlights the competitiveness between the two sides. Despite Watford’s dominance in possession and more shots on goal, Southampton faced a setback when Rhys Healey scored in second-half stoppage time. The Saints, however, demonstrated resilience by winning five of their next seven league matches, narrowing the gap with Ipswich Town in the standings.
Sutton suggests that even with potential changes in the lineup, Southampton possesses a stronger squad, as evidenced by their depth in last weekend’s win over Swansea. The unpredictability of the FA Cup makes either team’s victory plausible, but Sutton emphasizes that a draw would lead to an undesirable replay, an additional fixture neither club desires, given their primary focus on the league.
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