The Saints go in to the crunch St Mary's showdown on the back of a 6-1 thrashing at Manchester City and have recorded just one league win this season.
Their only triumph was against Crystal Palace on September 1 with the strugglers only managing to score once from open play since the middle of the same month.
That dreadful run of form has left Southampton sitting a point outside of the drop zone and Hughes staring down the barrel.
The Welshman, 55, took over in March and was rewarded for keeping the South Coast club in the Prem with a three-year contract in the summer.
But supporters are not happy with the type of football being produced and the consistently poor performances.
Now several reports state the board are ready to act and fire the ex-Manchester United and Chelsea marksman unless he guides his men to all three points against the Hornets.
Sam Allardyce, David Moyes and former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan are the favourites to take over.
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Danny Ings’ first half penalty ended Saints’ barren run in front of goal against champions City on Sunday, but the game was already over after the visitors conceded three times inside the opening 18 minutes.
Hughes said afterwards: “That is the game gone right from the outset. Any other work you have prepared and the game plan you want to implement goes out the window.
“It is difficult when you are down. You can't overcommit because Man City have the ability to run over the top of you and it gets even more embarrassing.
“Six-one is not a result we take any pride in but the fact we were trying to create chances when the game was gone shows the character was good.”
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