Verdict: Southampton draw no bet
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Hoping to make it back-to-back victories after returning to winning ways last weekend, Southampton will make the trip to relegation scrappers West Ham on Saturday afternoon.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, despite putting in a plucky display away at Anfield on Monday night, West Ham once again couldn’t hold onto another lead after watching Liverpool pick up a dramatic 3-2 win. Throwing away a staggering 22 points from winning positions this season and still sat one-point adrift of safety, Head Coach David Moyes has seen his side lose four of their last five matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat against Championship outfit West Brom in the FA Cup last month. With the mood around the London Stadium growing more toxic by the week, the former Manchester United boss has seen his side continue to show some rather glaring issues on home soil. Throwing away two comical late goals against fellow strugglers Brighton in their 3-3 draw, the Hammers have remarkably landed just a sole victory in East London in their last 11 attempts, a run that stems back to the 22nd of September. Along with showing some real issues at the London Stadium, it should be noted that Moyes’ men have conceded at least a pair of goals in each of their last five Premier League matches on the bounce.
Team News
West Ham loan signing Tomas Soucek faces three weeks out after sustaining a hip injury.
Ryan Fredericks had surgery on his damaged shoulder ligaments earlier this week and is expected to be out for around six weeks.
Southampton
As for the visitors, while Southampton may have shown some real cause for concern after a worrying start to February, the South Coast outfit managed to make a return to winning ways last weekend. Putting in a dominant display in their 2-0 win over another relegation scrapper in Aston Villa last time out, Head Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl now has his sights set on finding a route back into the top half of the table. While the Saints might be continuing to show some worrying inconsistencies on home soil, Southampton do have a growing reputation for their performances on the road. Aside from an expected defeat at Anfield earlier in the month, Saturday’s guests have won their other four previous Premier League away fixtures, including wins at Leicester and Chelsea. If Hasenhüttl’s men are to make it two in two week, there is no doubt that they will be calling on leading marksman Danny Ings to lead their charge. With 18 goals across all competitions this season, the former Burnley starlet has also found the net in two of his last three outings.
Team News
Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters returns after missing the win over Aston Villa because of a calf injury.
Nathan Redmond remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, West Ham picked up a 1-0 win at St. Mary’s.
- However, the Hammers have failed to win any of their last eight matches across all competitions.
- Danny Ings has scored 18 goals across all competitions this season, including two in his last three.
- Southampton have won four of their last five Premier League matches on the road.
- West Ham have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Premier League matches on the bounce.
Conclusion
While West Ham may have put up a shock display at Anfield on Monday night, this weekend could be another tough test for the Hammers. Dealing with some glaring issues at the back and conceding at least a pair of goals in their last five Premier League matches on the bounce, Southampton should make the trip to East London confident of making it two wins on the bounce. With a growing reputation for being an away day specialist, we’re backing a Saints win this weekend.
Verdict: Southampton draw no bet
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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