West Ham have started the Premier League 2021-22 season well and sit in second place after three matchdays. On Saturday, the Hammers travel to St. Mary’s to face off with Southampton.
David Moyes’ team could go top of the Premier League table with a victory and Tottenham Hotspur loss or draw at the weekend. West Ham have taken seven points from nine on offer. Southampton have taken just two points from nine and are on a two-match streak of draws.
Welcome back, lads! 👋 pic.twitter.com/F2DFhRqZbJ— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 9, 2021
Welcome back, lads! 👋 pic.twitter.com/F2DFhRqZbJ
The Saints have conceded six times over the course of three games while scoring four times. Southampton are on a poor run of form against West Ham. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team has failed to win seven straight matches against West Ham.
Last season, West Ham took four points from six on offer. The teams drew nil-nil at the St. Mary’s Stadium before West Ham won 3-0 at home.
West Ham forward Michail Antonio goes into the game in fine form. The striker has scored four goals and tallied three assists in three matches. He averages a Premier League goal every 67 minutes. Antonio has contributed to seven of the Hammers’ 10 goals.
If Antonio were to suffer an injury, West Ham may struggle in the final third. Moyes needs to keep the team focused as West Ham kick off their Europa League campaign the following Thursday versus Dinamo Zagreb.
Hasenhuttl will hope Adam Armstrong and Che Adams can continue their solid play as strike-partners. Armstrong has one goal this season while Adams’ deflected shot went into the back of the net versus Man United on matchday 2.
Four players are on the Southampton injury list going into the match. Midfielder Stuart Armstrong, forward Shane Long, winger Theo Walcott, and midfielder William Smallbone are all ruled out due to their respective injuries.
Moyes has just two players on the West Ham injury list heading into Saturday’s match. Kourt Zouma is ruled out following a personal/family issue. Winston Reid is nursing a knee injury. He may not play again for the Hammers after it was revealed the club want to terminate his contract.
West ham are unbeaten in seven straight games against Southampton with six of those games finishing in wins. Eight of the last 10 games between these teams ended with over 2.5 goals scored.
The Hammers should claim a seven win from eight matches against Southampton at the weekend. The teams should combine for more than 2.5 goals as West Ham continue their excellent start to the season.