Southampton will host Watford in a fourth-round replay in the FA Cup. The Hornets suffered a shocking loss to Cardiff City in Hertfordshire on the weekend. The Saints’ incredible unbeaten streak continued at Rotherham United.
Preview (Southampton vs. Watford)
On Saturday afternoon, Southampton continued their incredible 23-match undefeated streak in all competitions when they traveled to Yorkshire to take on relegation-threatened Rotherham. In the end, the hosts were unable to contain the strength of the promotion-chasing team. Jan Bednarek, a center-back, gave the visitors the lead early in the fourth minute of play. Adam Armstrong then scored his 15th goal of the Championship just before halftime. It brings his total number of goal contributions in 29 league games to 26.
After failing to lose in the league since their September 23 trip to Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, Russell Martin’s team is presently ranked second in the second division. They are one point ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town but eleven points behind league leaders Leicester City. Former Blackburn Rovers attacker Armstrong is vying for both the Championship’s Golden Boot and playmaker award at the same time after scoring 15 goals and setting up 11 more for teammates. However, Adams’s efforts should not be undervalued as the former Birmingham City striker scored eight goals.
It appeared as though Southampton’s unbeaten run at Vicarage Road would come to an unfortunate end after Matheus Martins’s first goal for Watford in the first leg on January 28. Nevertheless, Stuart Armstrong’s crafty play was sufficient to secure his team’s place in the fifth-round draw. Watford has had a difficult 10 days in the Championship since the draw against Southampton. The Bluebirds won all three points in Hertfordshire thanks to a brilliant goal from former Blackpool winger Josh Bowler. The Hornets, on the other hand, dominated possession and chance-creation statistics but were unable to beat 30-year-old goalkeeper Jan Alnwick.
Team News
Due to his absence from Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations, former Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo is still unavailable to Southampton. Ross Stewart has only played 17 minutes for the Saints since joining in the summer owing to a muscular injury, keeping him out of action for the time being. Before suffering a hamstring strain in November, Kamaldeen Sulemana was a consistent starter for Martin’s team; the 21-year-old is anticipated to return around the middle of February.
Edo Kayembe, a midfielder for Watford, is out due to a calf injury sustained last month. He hasn’t played since the thrilling six-goal match against Plymouth Argyle. Emmanuel Dennis and Mileta Rajovic came off the bench in the loss to Cardiff. They will probably start at St Mary’s from the beginning.
Southampton 3-1 Watford
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