West Ham are winless in four visits to St Mary's, dating back to December 2019, claiming only three victories in 15 outings in Southampton since the start of the new millennium.
Southampton vs West Ham United Preview
Will a change of management signal an improvement in results for Southampton? This will be Ivan Jurić's first match in charge of the Saints, watching on from the stands as they, led by Simon Rusk, held Fulham to a rather uneventful goalless draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday. This was only Southampton's second clean sheet of the season, and the first achieved away from home, taking their miserly points tally to six, not where they wanted to be come Christmas Day.
So, fair to say Jurić has plenty of work to do, with the former Genoa, Hellas Verona, Torino and Roma manager needing to perform a Christmas miracle to keep the Saints afloat. However, this will be viewed as a winnable game, if such a thing exists when you're in Southampton's position, so can they provide some much-needed festive cheer to those on the South Coast?
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West Ham United meantime will make the short 83 mile journey south also badly needing a victory. On Saturday, the Hammers held Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, with Mohammed Kudus equalising mere minutes after the Seagulls had struck. Julen Lopetegui's team are now unbeaten in three, defeating Wolves and then holding Bournemouth to a draw, which represents the Irons' longest undefeated streak of the campaign, but fair to say the vast majority of Hammers are still yet to be convinced by their boss. Well, with West Ham's next two fixtures coming against Liverpool and then Man City, the pressure will ramp up to 11 should they fail to win this one.
Southampton vs West Ham United Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 182.
- Southampton Wins: 52. Draws: 49. West Ham United Wins: 81.
Southampton Team News
Given that Ivan Jurić will take charge for the very first time, his lineup is tough to predict. The Croat has deployed a back three during each of his last 181 matches as a manager, spread across three clubs and dating back over four years, so it's safe to assume he'll continue to do so. Gavin Bazunu, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Will Smallbone, Maxwel Cornet and Ross Stewart remain sidelined, but Jack Stephens can return, having now served his four-match ban.
In a major boost, Aaron Ramsdale returned in goal at the weekend, having sat out the previous five league fixtures due to a broken finger. In attack, Adam Armstrong led the line at Fulham, chosen over top-scorer Cameron Archer, while Paul Onuachu and Ben Brereton Díaz are also centre-forward options. Armstorng, Adam Lallana and Mateus Fernandes would all miss Sunday's trip to Selhurst Park is cautioned.
Southampton predicted lineup vs West Ham United: (5-4-1): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Downes, Aribo, Dibling; Archer.
Southampton Player to Watch vs West Ham United
Teenager Tyler Dibling has been the undisputed bright-spot of Southampton's season so far, albeit he's only scored once, this against Ipswich in September, so will he shine even brighter under Jurić?
West Ham United Team News
Lucas Paquetá is banned, having been booked on Saturday, although this will be counterbalanced by the fact Carlos Soler can return, after serving a one-match suspension of his own. Konstantinos Mavropanos was taken off at half time against Brighton, replaced by Jean-Clair Todibo, with the Frenchman set to start the first time since 30 November. At the other end of the field, in Michail Antonio's continued absence, Niclas Füllkrug started a Premier League match for the very first time at the weekend, likely to keep his place, allowing Jarrod Bowen to be back out-wide, with Crysencio Summerville missing out. Midfield trio Edson Álvarez, Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez would miss Sunday evening's clash with league-leaders Liverpool if booked.
West Ham United predicted lineup vs Southampton: (4-2-3-1): Fabiański; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Álvarez, Souček, Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Füllkrug.
West Ham United Players to Watch vs Southampton
Mohammed Kudus scored just his third goal of the season on Saturday, so can the Ghanian rediscover his best form and fire the Hammers to victory by the South Coast?
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Southampton vs West Ham United Prediction
The potential for a new manager bounce is a factor, but we're still backing West Ham to win this one, for the simple reason that they have significantly more quality than bottom of the table Southampton, who simply lack top-class talent: Southampton 0-2 West Ham United.
Southampton vs West Ham United FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Southampton vs West Ham United Premier League game on TV channel?
Southampton vs West Ham United Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 6 Canada
How to watch Southampton vs West Ham United Premier League game on live streaming?
Southampton vs West Ham United Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: FuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Southampton vs West Ham United in the Premier League?
Southampton vs West Ham takes place on Thursday 26 December 2024, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (EDT) & 7:00 (PST).