Preview: Watford vs Southampton

Despite failing to get a win yet, Watford will be delighted with the football they have played so far this season and victory against an out of sorts Southampton will cap off an excellent start.

They were frustrated last week against West Brom and just couldn’t quite find the goal that their enterprising play deserved.

Quique Sanchez Flores could shake things up again this weekend with a number of options in his squad, especially out wide.

Jose Manuel Jurado is expected to keep his place in the starting line up but either Steven Berghuis or Almen Abdi could replace Miguel Layún on the opposite flank.

New signing Alessandro Diamanti could also feature if all his paperwork is completed in time, while Giedrius Arlauskis and Miguel Britos are yet more new additions.

Nathan Ake has arrived from Chelsea on loan as Watford’s squad grows and grows. Joel Ekstrand and Lloyd Doyley remain-long term absentees but there are no new injury concerns.

Southampton have had a slightly troubled start to the campaign with concerns over the condition of their defence proved to be legit again in Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League play-off draw against FC Midtjylland.

Jose Fonte was excellent last season but has been a little erratic so far, while Maya Yoshida has yet to prove he can fill the void left by Toby Alderweireld.

There seemed to be a lack of pace at the back in their defeat at home to Everton and Ronald Koeman will be desperate to get Ryan Bertrand back to full fitness but the 26-year-old is not due back until September.

Steven Davies is at risk of losing his place to James Ward-Prowse with the Saints in need of better control in the midfield area.

In attack, Jay Rodriguez is available after his goal in the Europa League on Thursday but Koeman is expected to stick with Shane Long and Graziano Pellè up front.

Jordy Clasie, Fraser Forster and Florin Gardoș remain injured with Gastón Ramírez set to leave the club.

Southampton have gone eight matches without a clean sheet and have not won away since February.

League Position: Watford – 12th, 2 pts; Southampton – 17th, 1 pt
Last Meeting: Watford 0-3 Southampton, February 2012
Key Men: Watford – Troy Deeney; Southampton – Jose Fonte
Form: Watford – DD; Southampton – DL

Prediction: 1-1