Southampton

Watford host Southampton on Sunday (13:30 BST) as they return to the Championship after their dramatic seasons last time out.

The Hornets saw three different managers at Vicarage Road last season and they have a brand new one to introduce on the weekend as Alessio Dionisi makes his debut in the English Football League.

While Saints will want to show they haven't been rattled following their expulsion from the play-offs after 'Spygate', external.

• Watford have won just one of their last 14 meetings with Southampton in all competitions (D6 L7); a 2-1 away win in the Premier League in March 2022 (D3 L3 since).

• Southampton are unbeaten in their last 10 away league games against Watford (W4 D6), drawing each of their previous two visits since a 1-0 win in the Premier League in October 2021.

• Watford lost their final five Championship games last season by an aggregate score of 1-16; the Hornets last lost six in a row outside the top-flight in February 1973 (9).

• Southampton ended last season unbeaten in their final 19 league games (W14 D5), only once previously have they gone 20+ league games unbeaten, doing so in February 2024 (22).

• Despite only playing 1,800 minutes in the Championship last season (excluding play-offs), only Radek Vítek (8.5) and Carl Rushworth (8.1) prevented more goals based on Opta's expected goals model than Southampton's Daniel Peretz (7.1), conceding 18 goals (excluding own goals) from an xGOT conceded total of 25.1.

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Could Manchester City striker Divin Mubama's loan spell at Southampton be just what he needs to make the step up to being a true first-team player?

The 21-year-old was ever-present in Stoke City's matchday squad last season, but a serious leg injury in January meant he made only one further Championship appearance for the club.

He will be hoping to play a bigger role during his time at St Mary's and BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore feels it could be reminiscent of recently departed Saints midfielder Shea Charles' time at Sheffield Wednesday.

Charles, who also came up through City's academy, played 44 games for the Owls during his breakthrough season on loan from the Saints.

"This season for Mubama needs to be that season for Shea Charles," Blackmore said.

"It needs to be the time that he grows up, steps up, handles men's football. If he gets it right, he's got bags of talent, so I think it's a good gamble from Saints."

Listen to the full analysis below or on BBC Sounds here.

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Southampton and one-time England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 24, is a target for Portuguese giants Benfica. (Daily Mail, external)

Derby remain keen on bringing 27-year-old Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz back to Pride Park from the Saints. (John Percy, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

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Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has emerged as a target for Portuguese club Benfica, who are willing to offer £17m for the 24-year-old Englishman. (Sun), external

For more EFL transfer news, check out Wednesday's full gossip column here.

The 72+ podcast is BACK and it's got a brand new home.

Follow along as Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff dive into the biggest stories across the EFL, with expert analysis, exclusive guests and the moments everyone is talking about.

A new episode drops on Tuesday night so make sure not to miss it by clicking subscribe on the new 72+: The EFL Podcast BBC Sounds page here.

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Leyton Orient have signed Southampton forward Nick Oyekunle in a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old scored 10 goals in 15 Under-21 games for Sainst season and also made four senior appearances for Saints.

Oyekunle has been capped by England Under-18s, making his debut against Morocco in May last year.

Head coach Richie Wellens told the Orient website, external: "Nick is aggressive in his press, his movement is strong, he is always opening his body up to be moving towards the goal and his finishing is very impressive.

"Now he needs to step up to a men's level and we think he has chosen the right club to do that."

Dan George & Adam Blackmore
BBC Sport, Hampshire

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Young Southampton midfielder Romeo Akachukwu said that scoring his first senior goal for the club meant "the world" to him.

The 20-year-old added a second for Saints on Saturday against Colchester as they won away from home to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup.

He latched onto a pass from Finn Azaz before cutting inside and finishing on his left foot into the far corner.

"It means the world really," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"I scored already in pre-season and I knew that if I kept getting into good spaces and pockets, then the chances would keep coming.

"I work on my finishing in training, so it's nice to see my work paying off. I hit the ground running in Eastleigh, so hopefully I can keep continuing this."

Akachukwu has played 50 times for Southampton's U21's side, scoring 11 times.

He impressed and scored during Saints' first pre-season game against Eastleigh in July and joined the squad through the rest of their training camp in Germany.

"I've had conversations with the manager about this season," Akachukwu added.

"He just wants me to keep working, and you never know what's around the corner, and injuries could happen elsewhere in the team.

"It's important that I keep my head down, stay patient and keep working. We all know the quality that we have in this team, and I'm more than happy to learn behind those boys, and when I get my chance, like today, just continue to take it."

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Southampton have reached a verbal agreement to sign 21-year-old striker Divin Mubama on loan from Manchester City and the Englishman is awaiting the final green light from the Premier League club to complete the move. (Fabrizio Romano), external

For more EFL transfer news and rumours, read Monday's full gossip column here.

Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with your club's latest news.

Dan George & Adam Blackmore
BBC Sport, Hampshire

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Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has praised the professionalism of midfielder Shea Charles amid talk of him leaving the club.

Fulham have now agreed a deal worth up to £30m for the 22-year-old who - subject to a medical - will become the most expensive Northern Irish footballer of all time.

Charles joined Saints in 2023 and made 76 appearances during his time at St Mary's, scoring six goals.

On Saturday he was an unused substitute against Colchester United in the EFL Cup and afterwards was seen applauding the fans on his own in what appeared to be a farewell gesture.

"It's not a secret that there have been some conversations going on," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent.

"The only thing that I can say is that Shea has been so professional with all of the noise around him, especially for a young player it's not easy.

"His behaviour has been extraordinary and I told this to him that it's not normal, especially if you look left and right how other players can react if there is some noise about them.

"He's been extraordinary in the way that he's presented himself and let's see what the next days bring."

Last season in particular saw Charles step up as a key member of the team, scoring all six of his Saints goals across the campaign, including some memorable strikes.

His late winners against Leicester and Arsenal will not be forgotten in a hurry by the Southampton fans.

Neither will his stoppage-time winner against Middlesbrough in the second leg of their play-off semi-final which at the time looked to have booked Saints a date at Wembley, only to be banned from facing Hull City.

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Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic is undergoing a medical at Ipswich Town as the clubs near an agreement over a permanent transfer.

The Cottagers are looking to sign a replacement and are now believed to be in pole position to sign Southampton's Shea Charles, although a fee has yet to be agreed.

Watch back BBC Radio Solent's Southampton FC Fans' Forum for 2026.

Adam Blackmore hosted the hour-long forum at St Mary's Stadium in the Mick Channon Suite alongside some key members of the club.

Head coach Tonda Eckert, sporting director Johannes Spors and CEO Phil Parsons were all at at the top table and asked questions by the supporters.

The panel were quizzed about the spying scandal that dominated Saints' end to last season and Spors spoke about the clubs plans to reduce its squad size for the upcoming campaign.

There was also discussion about season ticket prices and the new Saints strip for the coming season.

Relive the action as it happened on the Southampton Fans' Forum live page.