Watford rule out Akomeah and Grieves for Southampton opener, Ngakia a doubt | OneFootball

Watford will be without two players for Sunday’s opener against Southampton, and Jeremy Ngakia is a doubt with a hamstring issue. That tilts the early balance towards the visitors.

According to Sainstmarching.com, Akomeah and Grieves are ruled out and Ngakia is progressing, with a return expected next week, not this one.

A centre-back missing before a ball is kicked forces a rethink, and Alessio Dionisi has had little time to adjust. Installed on 15 June to replace Ed Still, this is his first competitive league match with the squad.

Imran Louza is expected to come into the XI, hinting at where Dionisi wants his craft. Watford ended last season with five straight league defeats, and opening day rarely wipes that slate clean.

Tonda Eckert arrives with a largely fit Southampton group, bar the Caspar Jander question, which helps for a side starting on minus four points.

The obvious ploy is to test that reshaped defence. Cyle Larin scored first in the cup at Colchester, Romeo Akachukwu added the second, while Divin Mubama pushes for minutes after a season-long loan from Manchester City. Ben Brereton Diaz started that night and may not keep the shirt.

The away end is sold out, and a full travelling section could rattle a home crowd still weighing up the new era.

None of this decides the result. Watford at home with a new coach remains awkward, and Eckert is weighing up a change of his own. A 1.30 kick-off at Vicarage Road awaits.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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