Southampton remain in the Championship. The highly-publicised 'Spygate' debacle stripped them of the chance to feature in last season's play-off final, and it will always remain a question what would have happened had they not been caught spying on opposition.

Watford are tipped by many to struggle this season, and to go down by some. The yearly rotation of management may finally take its toll, and now it's Alessio Dionisi's turn to implement some stability into the Hornets.

Match Build-Up

Southampton kick off this season on the back foot, having been hit with a four-point points deduction for 'Spygate'.

Manager Tonda Eckert is still awaiting an FA verdict over his conduct during the debacle, with some reporting it could take until September for a decision to be made.

The Saints, however, have kept the core of their squad. Shea Charles recently left for Fulham, netting Southampton £30 million, but the rest of the squad largely remains the same.

The managerial merry-go-round at Watford continues.

Italian Alessio Dionisi has arrived from Empoli to succeed Ed Still, and has overseen a summer of outgoings in terms of transfer activity.

Georgian Giorgi Chakvetadze left for sister club Udinese and Nestory Irankunda was sold to Sporting CP, leaving Dionisi light on attacking threat heading into the opener.

A lot of questions are being asked of both sides, which should make for an intriguing opening game on Sunday.

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Key Talking Points

1. Can Southampton shake off the Spygate tag?

Southampton kept Tonda Eckert in the job despite the Spygate scandal.

There are questions about whether he will be banned from the touchline, and they start the season on -4 points.

It's certainly an unusual backdrop for a team pushing for promotion, and early-season form could indicate how Saints players will bounce back.

2. Another new face in the Watford dugout

Alessio Dionisi is the latest manager to try their luck at Vicarage Road, arriving from Empoli.

He's without Watford's two best players from last season; Giorgi Chakvetadze and Nestory Irankunda were shipped off during the summer, and it remains to be seen just who will step up in terms of goals and creativity.

Many have Watford tipped to go down potentially, and Dionisi's days may already be numbered if they get off to a poor start.

3. Who leads the line for Watford?

As mentioned previously, both Chakvetadze and Irankunda are gone, so goals and creativity are scarce for the Hornets heading into the new season.

Dane Luca Kjerrumgaard is set to lead the line for them on Sunday. He signed permanently from sister club Udinese in the summer after a decent return during his loan spell last season for the Hornets (nine goals in 43 league games.

The narrow League Cup win over Crawley is an indicator that things need to change sooner rather than later for Watford.

Team News & Lineups

Watford have a clean bill of health heading into Sunday's game, while Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has stated midfielder Caspar Jander is an injury doubt and is unlikely to feature.

Predicted Lineups

Watford: Ravaglia; Traoré, Pollock, Keben, Bola; Bove, Kyprianou; Baah, Bravo, Maamma; Kjerrumgaard

Southampton: Peretz; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Manning; Downes, Matsuki; Fellows, Dobbin, Scienza; Brereton Diaz

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