Prediction: West Ham United vs Southampton

Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

An authentic six-point match will take place at Olympic Stadium in London, as West Ham United will host Southampton in a battle of two teams complicated with the relegation standings. A fixture that could make or break each side’s seasons, there is no question this game will be a tight one where neither club will want to lose.

West Ham United

It is safe to say that West Ham United have struggled all season long. The Hammers were tipped as relegation candidates early on and while they have not been able to remove that label from themselves, things are calm right now. After all, they would avoid relegation if the season ended today since they sit in 17th place with 30 points. However, that’s about as good as it can get for the London-based side right now. West Ham are riding a three-game losing streak, and all signs indicate they will quite depleted heading into this contest. And injuries could not have piled up at a worst time for them, because things are quite tight at the back and a negative run of results could be the difference between avoiding relegation and playing in the Championship next season. Without a doubt, the team needs to pick things up sooner than later.

Team News

The Hammers will be quite depleted ahead of this game.

Samuel Byram (ankle), Andy Carroll (foot), Pedro Obiang (knee) and Winston Reid (knee) are all ruled out. And as if that was not enough, Manuel Lanzini (undisclosed), Cheikhou Kouyate (undisclosed) and James Collins (thigh) are all doubtful.

Southampton

Southampton are not in a better place, though. The Saints would be relegated to the Championship if the season ended today since they sit in 18th place with 28 points, but they have a golden opportunity to leave the bottom three in this one. A win against West Ham would be enough to move away from the red zone for at least one week, but it does not seem as if winning is something that’s easy for So’ton. In fact, they are riding a four-game winless run (two draws and two losses) and they have won just once in their past 15 Premier League matches (W1, D8, L6). That’s a recipe for disaster for Southampton, and make no mistake here. A loss in this game could be the nail in the coffin for the club, as the recent results and their position in the standings do nothing but suggest that they will struggle to keep afloat, and will likely decide their fate in the final games of the season. Time is still on their side, but it is quickly running out.

Team News

Southampton are close to be at full strength ahead of this game, and that is always positive considering the position the team is in right now.

In fact, the lone absentee will be Charlie Austin, who continues to recover from a thigh problem. The rest of the first-team squad should be fit and available.

Key Factors to Consider

• West Ham have conceded 57 goals in the Premier League this season. That is the second-worst mark in the EPL.
• Southampton are riding a good run of results away from home of late. The Saints have just one defeat in their last five away fixtures (W1, D3, L1).
• Both teams have a game in hand compared to the teams near them in the relegation standings. Without a doubt, this is a huge game for both clubs.
• Both teams have struggled to secure wins, though. While West Ham have just one win in their last seven league games, Southampton have won just once in their last 15 EPL contests.
• West Ham are riding a three-game losing streak after dropping games to Liverpool, Swansea, and Burnley.

Conclusion

This game should be extremely tight. Aside from the fact that both have had problems scoring all season long, it is clear neither team wants to lose considering the rough spot both clubs are.

As such, I believe there will be under 2,5 goals in this one.

Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: 888sport