Watford vs Southampton predictions: Saints strong enough to surge through
- Southampton have won seven of their last eight games
- The Saints are unbeaten in their last 21 games in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Southampton to win
With just a maximum of 10 Premier League teams able to reach the fifth round of this season's FA Cup, the draw has opened up for sides from outside of the top tier to go deep in the competition.
Both Watford and Southampton have aspirations of promotion to the top flight but will also be hoping to progress in this competition.
Sunday's meeting is set to be an intriguing affair but the record-breaking Saints look like they could prove to be too strong for their hosts.
Team news
Emmanuel Dennis is likely to be available for selection for Watford after returning to the club on loan from Nottingham Forest but home boss Valerien Ismael may not gamble by starting the striker.
Expect some rotation from the Hornets manager and goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann may well make an appearance between the sticks, replacing Ben Hamer, but Kwadwo Baah remains out with a hamstring injury.
Juan Larios (hamstring) and Ross Stewart (Achilles) are absent for Southampton and manager Russell Martin may also choose to rotate, with Che Adams unlikely to feature as he is linked with a move away before the close of the transfer window.
The stats
This could well be a high-scoring affair, as both sides have netted in six of the last seven meetings between these two teams and there have been at least three goals scored in seven of Watford's last nine games.
Southampton striker Adam Armstrong has 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season.
The Saints are unbeaten in their last nine visits to Vicarage Road while Watford have not beaten a team in the top four tiers of English football in the FA Cup since their 2018-19 semi-final win over Wolves.
Prediction
Southampton have been on a remarkable run of form in the Championship, winning seven of their last eight games and going unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions.
The Saints have won 16 of their last 24 away games in the FA Cup and look a strong selection to extend that run against Watford.
The Hornets have been in solid form themselves but look likely to fall short against a side that looks destined for the Premier League.
The visitors have netted 19 times in their last six matches in all competitions and their impressive attack could be the difference between the two sides.
Southampton have a good record at Vicarage Road, remaining unbeaten in their last nine trips to Hertfordshire and they are worth siding with to secure a place in the fifth round with a victory.
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