Southampton vs West Ham Lineups, Preview, Prediction and Team News | Premier League, December 26, 2024

Preview

• Tournament: Premier League
• Date: Sunday, Dec 26
• Kick-off Time: 03:00 pm GMT
• Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, England

West Ham will travel to Southampton for their 18th game of the 2024/25 Premier League season at St. Mary’s Stadium. The Saints will aim to bounce back with a second home win of the season.

Hosts Southampton made their return to the Premier League this season and have secured only one win in 17 league matches. Ivan Juric’s men have sustained painful losses since the start of the campaign and are coming off a goalless draw with Fulham. The Saints are stranded at the bottom of the table and have managed only two clean sheets in their last 13 games across all competitions.

Meanwhile, West Ham would want to bounce back from their disastrous run of form and could easily grab the three points against the worst side in the division. Despite their unsatisfactory form, Julen Lopetegui’s men are expected to maintain their three-match unbeaten streak in the league.

Southampton Team News

Southampton has a huge injury crisis to deal once again this midweek. The likes of Will Smallbone (thigh), Juan Larios (unspecified), Adam Lallana (thigh), Ross Stewart (calf) and Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) are out of this tie whereas Aaron Ramsdale is expected to keep his spot in between the sticks.

West Ham Team News

For the visiting side, midfielder Carlos Soler is expected to return from suspension. Striker Michail Antonio is still out following his car accident, whereas defender Jean-Clair Todibo remains out with his groin injury.

Southampton vs West Ham Predicted Lineups

Southampton predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Goalkeeper: Ramsdale

Defenders: Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood

Midfielders: Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters

Forwards: Dibling, Armstrong; Archer

West Ham predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Fabianski

Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson

Midfielders: Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta

Forwards: Bowen, Kudus; Fullkrug

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Head-to-Head Record

The two sides have faced off only 182 times in the past, with West Ham winning 81 of those games. Southampton have won only 52 ties between both sides, whereas the remaining 49 games ended in a draw.

Last five match results:

Key Players to Watch in Southampton vs West Ham

Adam Armstrong (Southampton)

The English forward signed a contract extension with Southampton this summer following their promotion to the Premier League. Armstrong has bagged three goals and one assist in 14 league appearances.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen is one of the top forwards in the Premier League who has been lately monitored by Liverpool. He has been delivering consistent performances despite not getting on the score sheet on a regular basis. So far this season, Bowen has bagged four goals and four assists in 17 league appearances.

Southampton vs West Ham Prediction

Southampton are not favourites for this tie as they are sitting at the bottom of the league standings with just six points after 17 games. The Saints have brought in former Roma head coach Ivan Juric who is expected to take them out of the relegation zone. A Premier League return after a robust Championship campaign has been anything but smooth for Southampton who have secured just one win in 17 league games.

As for West Ham, they are missing a few crucial players in this tie and are coming off a 1-1 draw with Brighton in the domestic league. Julen Lopetegui’s men have not been at their best so far this season and are sitting eight points above the relegation zone. They have been slowly returning to their best having picked up a respectable 10 points in their last five Premier League games at home.

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