West Ham is looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games in a row in the Premier League this Saturday against Southampton. The Hammers will want to bounce back from their mediocre draw against Crystal Palace and keep pace with the top of the league.
Date: 11/09/21
Time: 3pm
Venue: Saint Mary’s Stadium
Referee: David Coote
Where to watch: Peacock
Match Preview:
West Ham drew Crystal Palace in a highly contested match last time out with the attacking engine of Antonio, Benrahma, Bowen, and Fornals continuing to chug along with goals for Fornals and league-leading goal scorer Antonio.
The lapses in defense that let West Ham down last week will look to be corrected with the signing of French International Kurt Zouma. Moyes, who prides himself on a rock-solid defense, will hope Zouma can slot right in to patch the leaks at the back.
The Hammers will face a Saints team who has yet to win a game this season and has not beaten West Ham since 2017. Although, the defense will need to keep an eye on the captain and set-piece maestro, James Ward-Prowse, and prevent him from feeding balls to their new striker, Adam Armstrong.
Team News:
Arthur Masuaku has returned to first-team training but will most likely not be risked due to his ongoing knee injury. Meanwhile, new signings Kurt Zouma, Nikola Vlašić, and Alex Král could be given debuts against Southampton.
Predicted XI
Fabianski, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Zouma, Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio
Opposition Preview
Team news:
Southampton has made some late additions to their squad in the form of Torino defender Lyanco and Everton youngster, Thierry Small who will both look to snag debuts this weekend. In other news, they will be without striker Shane Long who tested positive for COVID-19.
Recent form:
LDD
After draws against Newcastle and Manchester Unite coupled with a loss at the hands of Everton, Southampton looks to kickstart their campaign with a first win of the season at home on Saturday, breaking a horrid streak of losses versus the Hammers.
Key men:
The English midfield maestro and captain, James Ward-Prowse, will look to find pockets of space in the midfield to spray the ball to the forwards, Adam Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi. Elyounoussi will look to add to his four goals in all competitions so far.
The West ham midfielders, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, will need to control the midfield and shut down distribution from Ward-Prowse to the Southampton strikers.
Predicted XI:
McCarthy, Livramento, Stephens, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong
Match Prediction:
Southampton 0 – 3 West Ham
West Ham will continue their undefeated run in a dominant win versus Southampton. The creative talent upfront headed by the beast, Michail Antonio himself, again will be unstoppable. Expect the defense to bounce back with a solid showing to secure the first clean sheet of the season. Come On, You Irons!