Both Southampton and West Ham head into Tuesday’s clash on the back of slightly disappointing draws in their last fixtures.
The Saints couldn’t break down a resilient Fulham defence at Craven Cottage and the game ended goalless. West Ham twice went behind at home to Brighton but goals from Johnson and Soucek ensured the Hammers a share of the spoils.
Those results mean the gap between the two clubs remains at 3pts, with Southampton sitting one place above West Ham in the top-half of the table. The Hammers have had the edge over Southampton in recent seasons but there isn’t much between the pair in the head-to-head record, with the Saints winning 25 and West Ham winning 27 of the duo’s last 72 encounters.
Southampton have secured two clean sheets in their last four outings and have won four of their last six home games, three of which have ended 2-0, and the hosts have only conceded three goals in their last five games. Under 2.5 goals have been produced in each of the Saint’s last three fixtures and both teams have scored in just one of their last four outings.
West Ham’s form has dipped a little in recent weeks with Moyes’ men picking up two wins, two defeats and two draws from their last six fixtures. The Hammers haven’t kept a single clean sheet in their last six attempts and looked very shaky at the back in their last game against Brighton.
The visitors have conceded two or more goals in three of their last five league games and are bound to be tested by the Southampton attack on Tuesday.
Jannik Vestergaard, Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond have all been ruled out of Tuesday’s clash through injury, while ball-winning midfielder Oriol Romeu is suspended. West Ham will again be without Arthur Masuaku due to that long term knee injury, while Michail Antonio is unlikely to be match-fit in time to feature on Tuesday as well.
The home advantage is likely to prove key in this game and the Saints have been very strong at home this season. West Ham were beaten 3-0 in their last away trip to Chelsea and are without a win in their last three fixtures.
Hoping to change the record against #WHUFC 👊 pic.twitter.com/2xy5euqzfs— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 27, 2020
Hoping to change the record against #WHUFC 👊 pic.twitter.com/2xy5euqzfs
The smart money is going on under 2.5 goals to be scored in Tuesday’s clash with Southampton to claim all 3pts and keep a clean sheet in the process.