Southampton are working on a deal with German side Heidenheim for 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder Leo Scienza. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
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Watford and Southampton have both picked up four points from their opening three Championship matches ahead of their meeting at Vicarage Road on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Paulo Pezzolano's Hornets come into this one unbeaten in their past two Championship games, drawing 1-1 with Swansea City last weekend.
Saints saw their unbeaten start ended by a 2-1 home defeat to Stoke last Saturday, though Will Still's side picked up an impressive 3-0 win away to Norwich City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Watford have won just two of their past 17 league games against Southampton (D7 L8), keeping just two clean sheets across that time.
Southampton are unbeaten across their past nine away league games against Watford (W4 D5), this after a return of just one win across their prior 16 such clashes with the Hornets (D6 L9).
Watford have won just two of their past 12 league games (D3 L7), though both of those victories have come at Vicarage Road, including their last fixture on home soil against QPR.
Southampton have won just two of their past 25 away league games (D5 L18), failing to score in two of their last three on the road.
Southampton have averaged the largest share of possession so far in the 2025-26 Championship (64.0%), however the Saints have faced more shots via fast breaks than any other team so far this season (6), half of which came against Stoke last time out.
Image source, Getty ImagesSouthampton defender Welington is set to miss 'months' of the season due to an ankle injury.
Saints boss Will Still is braced to be without the full-back for a significant period after he was withdrawn in the first half of their 2-1 Championship defeat to Stoke City.
"Wely's not great, he'll be out for a couple of months," Still said. "His ankle's not great.
"If there's an opportunity to [sign cover] I'm sure we will, but that goes for every position.
"Our squad is big enough and good enough to sort things out."
Welington joined Saints from Sao Paulo in January and has made 14 first-team appearances.
He has started all three of Southampton's league matches this season against Wrexham, Ipswich Town and the Potters.
Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Nurnberg's German midfielder Caspar Jander, 22. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.
Southampton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Will Smallbone, 25, is the subject of a £7.5m bid from Wrexham. (Alan Nixon - via subscription, external)
Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.
Image source, Rex FeaturesWelington was forced off in the first half against Stoke City
Will Still has confirmed defender Welington suffered a badly twisted ankle in Southampton's 2-1 home defeat against Stoke City.
Left wing-back Welington picked up the injury in the first half and after lengthy treatment was taken down the tunnel on a stretcher and replaced by Ryan Manning.
"Yes, it's not great," Southampton manager Will Still said when asked for a post-match update on the player.
"He's twisted it badly, it's his ankle and he's already had issues with that so it doesn't look hyper positive."
Welington's injury was an additional setback for Still on top of the result, his first defeat as Southampton manager.
"It's a frustrating one," he said. "We've gifted them two goals again.
"We need to stop playing that sort of short pass inside, because it's the ideal moment for the opposition to press and we've done it three times.
"We didn't get punished in the first half for doing it. Probably [they are habits the players have got into] but we just need to unlearn that.
"They [Stoke] have been incredibly efficient and we've probably lacked a bit of that cutting edge and efficiency in front of goal in both boxes probably."
Saints are away to Watford next Saturday.
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Southampton will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Championship league leaders Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Saints have picked up four points from their opening two fixtures whilst the Potters will look to make it three wins on the bounce.
Southampton have won just one of their last six league games against Stoke City (D2 L3), scoring just two goals in total across that time.
Stoke City have won three of their last four away league games against Southampton (D1), keeping a clean sheet each time; they've never done so in five successive away league games against a side in the top four tiers before.
After beating Wrexham in their opening fixture at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton will be looking to claim successive home league victories for the first time since April 2024.
Stoke City have won each of their opening two league games, netting three goals in both wins; they last won three successive league games while scoring 3+ goals in each in February 2008.
Stoke City's Sorba Thomas is the only player to record three assists in the Championship so far this season. His two assists against Sheffield Wednesday last time out marked the first time he's managed multiple during a match in the Championship since September 2021.
Will Still: 'Transfer deals are moving'
Southampton manager Will Still said he is still trying to perfect his squad before the transfer window shuts.
"We're waiting, we're trying to unlock things and make things happen, but it is a fight at times," he told BBC Radio Solent.
Still said there are external barriers blocking the club's ability to both buy and sell.
"[For example,] national team coaches telling players that they need to be in first division clubs or top five leagues to get into contention in thinking about World Cups."
"There is activity within the club, it's just a complicated market."
Saints have been linked with Manchester City defender Issa Kabore, 24, who has had loan spells at the likes of Marseille and Benfica, as well as for Luton Town in the Premier League.
"We have spoken to him, I've had quite a few players from [Manchester] City over the past couple of years. I've always worked well with them, that is an option," Still said.
"We're just negotiating and trying to find a way for it to work for all parties, but Issa's a good player. He's got a few qualities, so it's ongoing."
Still said negotiations regarding the signing of 25-year-old Armenia international midfielder Eduard Spertsyan are going similarly slowly.
"People have got agendas and negotiating skills are difficult," he added.
Southampton will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they face the current Championship leaders Stoke City on Saturday.
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