Vietnam
Thailand
English Premier League - Southampton VS West Ham United Prediciton
English Premier League - Southampton VS West Ham United
Match Time:26-12-2024 23:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
-------------------------------------------
Southampton
The injury problems have eased for the Saints over the last few weeks, with Aaron Ramsdale’s return the biggest boost the defence can have. The England international kept a valuable clean sheet in his first start since early November, as Juric will want another stellar display from his No.1.
Fellow keeper Gavin Bazunu remains sidelined for the time being in the company of midfielders Ross Stewart and Will Smallbone. In terms of the setup, Ivan Juric will not disturb the back three formation against Fulham and is expected to set up in the same way, probably with most of the players who played last weekend.
The inclusion of Lesley Ugochukwu could be one of the changes Juric makes for this one, as he might want to find out his best midfield pairing ahead of the next few weeks. He will partner Flynn Downes, as the backline and the wing-backs remain the same for this game.
The only other change could come in front of the goal, as Cameron Archer could get a start ahead of Adam Armstrong to lead the line. Tyler Dibling and Matheus Fernandes as the players expected to start behind the striker, and Juric will want to see a goal or two when he takes charge of this Southampton team for the first time.
West Ham United
Julen Lopetegui will be happy with the fitness of his squad, apart from Michail Antonio, who continues his rehabilitation from a horrific road accident. Lucas Paqueta will serve a one-game suspension for accumulating five yellow cards, as he will be replaced by Carlos Soler, returning from the suspension that saw him miss the Brighton & Hove Albion clash.
Lopetegui will use Soler in a midfield double pivot alongside Edson Alvarez, while Tomas Soucek plays in a slightly advanced role to connect the attacking side. At the back, Jean-Clair Todibo should come in place of Dinos Mavropanos in the heart of the defence, with Max Kilman retaining his place at the heart of the defence.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson will play as full-backs, with Lukasz Fabianski stationed between the sticks. Niclas Fullkrug will start only his second game for the Hammers after a disruptive period with injuries following his arrival in the summer.
Lopetegui will hope the German international benefits from a concerted run in the final third, while Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen will aim to support him from their attacking positions on either wing.
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek; Sugawara, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Fullkrug
Southampton vs West Ham United Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
West Ham United have a good historical record against Southampton and have won 81 out of the 182 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Southampton's 59 victories.
Southampton have won only one of their last 11 matches against West Ham United in the Premier League but did secure their only such victory during this period by a 3-2 margin in a Boxing Day fixture in the 2021-22 season.
West Ham United are unbeaten in their last five matches away from home against Southampton in the Premier League but have played out draws in their last three such games.
West Ham United are unbeaten in their last 20 matches against teams starting the day at the bottom of the table in the Premier League, with their previous such defeat coming by a 2-1 margin against Leicester City in 2015.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 West Ham United
Not since 2015 have West Ham fallen to defeat against the team starting the day at the bottom of the Premier League table, and while that trend should continue on Boxing Day, Lopetegui's men may have to be content with just the one point.
Missing two of their principle attacking threats in Antonio and Paqueta, the Irons will have their work cut out against a Saints backline that has been shored up since Russell Martin's exit, and Juric's Premier League tenure appears destined to begin with a low-scoring stalemate.
The Most Popular
-
City Seek Miracle as Madrid Hold Champions League Edge -
15th. Mar. English Premier League---Manchester United VS Aston Villa Prediction -
15th. Mar. Spanish La Liga---FC Barcelona VS Sevilla Prediction -
Arsenal Hold Edge as Emirates Fortress Faces Leverkusen Test -
Sporting Chase Miracle Comeback as Bodo/Glimt Defend 3–0 Champions League Lead -
Chelsea’s Hopes in Tatters as PSG Eye Quarter-Finals
Telegram
Facebook
X