Championship 26/27 · 16 Aug 2026

Watford 2–1 Southampton

Expected and what happened

Before the match, from team ratings for Jul 2026; the outlined result is what happened.

Footybot made Watford favourites at 42%.

Watford won although Southampton made the better chances (1.7 xG to 0.8): a result the chances didn't back.

Best on the pitch by Footybot's score: Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 61.6 in 90′.

Well above their usual level: Taylor Harwood-Bellis +20.0, Matthew Pollock +11.1, Cyle Larin +10.9.

Well below it: Daniel Peretz −19.6.

Each side's last five results before this match.

8 Aug 2026	W 1–0	v Crawley Town EFL Cup
2 May 2026	L 0–4	v Coventry City Championship
25 Apr 2026	L 1–5	at Middlesbrough Championship
21 Apr 2026	L 0–3	at West Bromwich Albion Championship
18 Apr 2026	L 0–2	v Sheffield United Championship

8 Aug 2026	W 2–0	at Colchester United EFL Cup
12 May 2026	D 1–1	v Middlesbrough Championship
9 May 2026	D 0–0	at Middlesbrough Championship
2 May 2026	W 3–1	at Preston North End Championship
28 Apr 2026	D 2–2	v Ipswich Town Championship

7 Feb 2026	Southampton 1–0 Watford Championship
30 Aug 2025	Watford 2–2 Southampton Championship

Player	Min	G	xG	Score	vs usual
Federico Ravaglia Goalkeeper	90	0	–	54.9	+10.7
Iker Bravo Forward	61	1	0.39	53.6	+2.0
Amin Nabizada Forward	61	1	0.08	47.3	+4.2
Matthew Pollock Defender	90	0	0.09	45.6	+11.1
Hector Kyprianou Midfielder	90	0	0.04	43.4	+2.5
Michael Adu-Poku Midfielder	29	0	–	40.6	–
Kévin Keben Biakolo Defender	90	0	–	40.1	+5.7
Jordan Zemura Midfielder	66	0	–	38.2	−5.7
Omar Haktab Traore Defender	90	0	0.02	38.0	+3.2
Martín Payero Midfielder	29	0	–	37.2	–
Rocco Vata Forward	13	0	0.03	37.2	–
Mamadou Doumbia Forward	90	0	–	37.1	−2.3
Edoardo Bove Midfielder	61	0	0.01	36.8	+3.0
Othmane Maamma Midfielder	77	0	0.11	36.6	+1.8
Edo Kayembe Midfielder	29	0	0.04	32.2	–
Marc Bola Defender	24	0	0.02	25.2	–

Player	Min	G	A	xG	Score	vs usual
Samuel Edozie Midfielder	20	0	0	–	61.6	–
Taylor Harwood-Bellis Defender	90	0	0	0.50	61.6	+20.0
Cyle Larin Forward	70	1	0	0.36	53.7	+10.9
Cameron Bragg Midfielder	70	0	1	0.02	52.9	+7.6
Ryan Manning Midfielder	90	0	0	0.07	50.7	+3.6
Flynn Downes Midfielder	90	0	0	0.07	42.3	−1.0
Kuryu Matsuki Midfielder	89	0	0	0.06	42.1	+5.9
Lewis Dobbin Forward	57	0	0	0.02	41.9	+3.8
Divin Mubama Forward	20	0	0	–	40.9	–
Jack Stephens Defender	90	0	0	0.33	37.9	−4.9
James Bree Defender	90	0	0	–	36.8	+4.5
Daniel Peretz Goalkeeper	90	0	0	–	36.2	−19.6
Finn Azaz Midfielder	33	0	0	0.07	35.8	–
Leo Scienza Midfielder	90	0	0	0.15	34.3	+4.8
Ben Brereton Díaz Midfielder	1	0	0	–	34.1	–