Prediction League: Home Opener Against the Hornets

It's a new season and once again we will be pitting our wits against the pundits and each other in the St. Mary's Musings Prediction League. Last year Connor Armstrong was the winner and Paul Merson and Martin Lawrenson did a lot better than we give them credit for.

The champ won't be here to defend his title. He, like many saints before him, got a call up to the big boys. He now works in north London for Arsenal, presumably for vastly more money than he got here.

Two new managers taking charge of their first game today, which means a look at the form guide might not be a great indication of the big match will turn out. A damn shame for the saints as only Leicester bagged more points in 2016!

Watford on the other hand ended the season with a wretched run of form. 5 defeats in their last 6 away games has Southampton as heavy favourites today.

We have a bigger team this season. So more competition. Here's this week's big match predictions.

Merse: 1-0
"Towards the end of last season, teams got comfortable playing against Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo and they figured out once you stop those two, you've virtually won the match."

Lawro: 3-1
"[Saints] have a new manager... but I still don't see them struggling because they still have a good nucleus of players in their squad."

Lawro's guests this week are the blossoms and they think Watford will win 3-1. I'm reading that they are a band. Based on their prediction for this match and the fact they are being marketed to your average football fan... I imagine they are awful.

Tommy: 1-1
"Boring 1-1 draw for me. Can't see much happening on the opening day. Nathan Redmond to score."

Paul: 1-0
"Think we'll just about get over the line but look a little slow and drab about it."

George: 2-0
"Got a feeling that we'll win this 2-0. Long and Tadic to score"

Dan N: 2-0
"I reckon we'll start the game slow and won't be that impressive but we'll still have too much for Watford. Long and Tadic to score."

Dan V: 2-1
"A sloppy goal before we bounce back. Austin to score, setting him up for the season."

Jake: 1-0
"Saints will sneak a 1-0 win. Uninspired result with Saints failing to put away a gluttony of chances bar one."

Will: 3-0
"I know you can't read anything into pre-season results but I've been impressed by the new system and I hear Watford haven't looked too promising in their first matches under Mazzarri"

Robert: 2-0
"Proving that they haven't lost a step from last season, Southampton comes out and plays some creative football with Shane Long and VVD picking up the goals."

Allen: 0-0
"Lacklustre 0-0 finish. Think Saints will threaten throughout but will be unable to find a breakthrough."

Let us know in the comments below what you think will happen.