One point separates Southampton and West Ham in the race for Premier League survival. The two Premier League clubs will clash in a six-point match with the winner having momentum for survival this season.
Southampton are 18th in the Premier League with 15 points from 48 possible. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team has taken seven points from 18 possible in their last six and recently went three consecutive matches without a defeat.
West Ham have taken 16 points from 48 possible and have secured just three points from their last 18 possible. That shock win came at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, 1-0.
Although West Ham are in terrible form, they have won three straight matches against Southampton in the Premier League. The Saints have not defeated West Ham since August 2017 at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The Saints are playing well at St. Mary’s Stadium currently. Hassenhuttl has won back to back home matches outscoring opponents 4-2.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini is on the coaching hot seat with Saturday’s match possibly being his last in charge of the club. This week, the Hammers have been linked to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Enzo Maresca.
Hassenhuttl doesn’t have any new injuries to contend with on Saturday. Stuart Armstrong is the only player out of the match for Southampton.
He has a hamstring problem and has been out since late November. Hassenhuttl has been lucky in the injury department after having plenty of issues earlier this term.
Pellegrini may be going into his final game as Hammers’ boss with several players out of action.
Midfielder Manuel Lanzini is ruled out with a shoulder injury. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is on the comeback trail from a hip injury. He won’t be back until next month at the earliest.
Jack Wilshere, Winston Reid, Aaron Cresswell, and Andriy Yarmolenko are all being assessed ahead of Saturday’s match at St. Mary’s Stadium. Pellegrini’s options will be limited.
Southampton are unbeaten in six of their last 14 matches against West Ham. They are in far better form currently and should pick up a vital win on Saturday that could propel them onto safety.
Six of the 14 matches that these two teams have played in the Premier League have seen both teams not score. With Southampton in better form than West Ham, the Saints should pick up a win over the Hammers. Expect both teams not to score as Southampton pick up a win to nil over West Ham.