Southampton v Watford preview: Fraser Forster in contention to start

Fraser Forster is in contention for his first Southampton start in nine months as they host Watford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The England international broke his knee-cap during a game against Burnley in March last year, and is in line for a first-team return after playing the full 90 minutes of a Saints Under-21s game against Chelsea last week.

His imminent return would be a real boost for Ronald Koeman as his side have lost their last three games, including an FA Cup third-round defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Southampton currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, seven points away from the relegation zone and five behind their opponents this week.

Watford have been in a fine run of form - reaching the dizzy heights of ninth place - and will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league after two tough encounters with Tottenham and Manchester City in recent weeks.

Team news

Koeman will make a late decision on whether Forster or Maarten Stekelenburg will start in goal for Southampton, with the latter ending the FA Cup tie with Palace with a tight hamstring.

Graziano Pelle is also expected to return after being sidelined at the weekend with a knee injury but Jay Rodriguez (ankle) and Florin Gardos (knee) are unavailable.

Watford remain without Nathan Ake through suspension as he completes a three-match ban following his red card against Spurs last month.

Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) are still sidelined but boss Quique Sanchez Flores has no new injury worries following the 1-0 FA Cup win over Newcastle and will recall Odion Ighalo in attack alongside Troy Deeney.

Opta stats

Southampton are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Watford (W2 D2).

Watford have failed to score in their last three league games against the Saints.

This includes the 0-0 draw earlier this season at Vicarage Road in the Premier League, when Watford failed to register a single shot on target.

The Hornets have won three of their last four trips to St Mary's, netting exactly three goals in each of these victories.

Players from 19 different nations have made an appearance for Watford in the Premier League so far this season; a bigger spread than any other team (next most is Leicester with 16 nationalities used).

No player has been involved in more aerial duels in the Premier League this season than Troy Deeney (237, level with Rudy Gestede).

Of players to have been involved in 100+ aerial duels in the league this season, Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has the best success ratio (70%).

Paul Merson's prediction

This is a hard game for Southampton. Watford had a good win in the cup, they are a threat going forward with Deeney and Ighalo and will cause problems. But Southampton are not as bad as their league position suggests. I don't think they will be in a relegation battle, they have too much. I expect there to be a few goals in this one.

MERSE PREDICTS: 2-2 (16/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Sky Bet make Southampton even money shots to secure three points against Watford (29/10), with the draw a 23/10 shot. Saints have won once in their last 10 outings but can be backed at 5/2 to win by exactly one goal.

The sides shared a goalless draw at Vicarage Road earlier this season and a repeat of that outcome is 15/2. Soccer Saturday pundits Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson are all backing a home win. Check out their predictions here.