GSH Hot Takes For West Ham Against Southampton

After more dropped points against Brighton, West Ham need to get back to winning ways in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

West Ham have a good record against their next opponents Southampton in recent times. The Hammers have won their last five games against the Saints and hope that trend will continue tonight.

Henry: Southampton 1-2 West Ham

The Saints have mirrored West Ham and have dropped off in recent weeks despite looking very impressive during the early part of the season. The record against Southampton speaks for itself, and the Hammers need to be targeting a big three points at St Marys. If they lose, then it will be difficult to move up the table for the rest of the season because of the gap that would open up.

With a few key players out for Southampton such as Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings, it is good for the Hammers to play them. David Moyes must rotate his team from the Brighton match and reintroduce the attacking abilities of Said Benrahma, Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals from the start of the match.

Especially if Michail Antonio is fit enough to make the squad. The striker could have a great impact off the bench with his speed and power. If the manager makes these changes the firepower, the Hammers will have should be enough to outscore their opponents. If Moyes doesn’t make the changes, then it could be another disappointing result.

Jack: Southampton 1-2 West Ham

Our game against Southampton is crucial and I could define our season. We are currently three points away from the rest of the top half and we need to close that gap if we are to stay in the top ten.
Our performance against Brighton was woeful but expected due to Moyes poor starting line up. Moyes cannot afford to mess around with the lineup today as Southampton are one of the teams that we need to catch up too.

The Saints have had a good start to the season and are a very dangerous side but we have been given a boost by the fact that Ings, Redmond and Vestergaard are all injured. We have to capitalise on Southampton’s injury woes and take all three points.

We were desperately lacking creativity against Brighton meaning Benrahama and/or Lanzini have to be starting. If they do, then we have all the tools we need to get the win.

Jeremiah: Southampton 2-2 West Ham

As both sides come into this match, they both look very similar. Similar in the fact that they’re early fortunes have turned into a bit of a skid, as well as both are plagued with injury. But something had to give, right?

West Ham is on a bit of a hot streak against the Saints, but just like their season, that’ll cool off tonight. Just like in recent weeks, look for an ultra-defensive side that concedes early only to come back ever so near at the end.

Adam: Southampton 4-1 West Ham

Hopefully a reverse jinx, but West Ham haven’t had much moving forward from open play in the last month (since Antonio was out) and this trend may continue with a disciplined and hardworking Ralph Hassenhutl Southampton team.

If goals come, they should be expected through set pieces, but without a great deal of pace and support centrally in what should be a five-at-the-back system, the Hammers will continue to struggle with creating goal scoring chances from open play. Hopefully, I’m wrong though!

Jack: Southampton 1-1 West Ham

Both sides surprised with strong starts but have simply fallen away over the recent match-days. For West Ham, one win their last five Premier League outings sees a few questions raised over their offensive quality; a feat echoed by their opponents, Southampton, who limped to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage on Boxing Day.

Of note is Theo Walcott’s scoring record against the Hammers; the pacey forward has six in his career – his best against any side, so once again I’ll expect him to be on the scoresheet. Somehow, I expect West Ham will scrape a point, but like most fans, I’d rather a side that looks like it could win rather than one desperate to avoid defeat.

Moyesy-ball will see West Ham set-up to soak up Saint’s possession for large periods of the match. Whether or not the Hammer’s can create anything remains to be seen and as expected set-pieces will once again be key to any success.

Clearly, neither side is in form, and with the quick turnaround between games – and rotated squads the topic of the week – West Ham and Southampton are likely to play out a lethargic and cagey affair that sees each side take a point a-piece.