Southampton vs West Ham: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

Southampton will host West Ham United at St. Mary’s on Boxing Day in a crucial Premier League clash. With both teams grappling with their own challenges, this matchup promises to be a test of resilience and adaptability. Ivan Juric will make his debut as Southampton’s manager, aiming to inspire a turnaround for the struggling Saints, while Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham look to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Match Details

• Location: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England
• Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024
• Kick-off Time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
• Referee: Lewis Smith
• VAR: Stuart Attwell

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

• Southampton Wins: 2
• West Ham Wins: 1
• Draws: 2
• Last Meeting: West Ham 1-0 Southampton (April 2, 2023 – Premier League)

Current Form

Southampton (Last 5 Matches)

• Fulham 0-0 Southampton (December 22) – Premier League
• Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (December 18) – Premier League
• Southampton 0-5 Tottenham (December 15) – Premier League
• Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton (December 7) – Premier League
• Southampton 1-5 Chelsea (December 4) – Premier League

Key Stat: Southampton has scored a league-low 11 goals this season and drawn blanks in their last three games.

West Ham (Last 5 Matches)

• West Ham 1-1 Brighton (December 21) – Premier League
• Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham (December 16) – Premier League
• West Ham 2-1 Wolves (December 9) – Premier League
• Leicester 3-1 West Ham (December 3) – Premier League
• West Ham 2-5 Arsenal (November 30) – Premier League

Key Stat: West Ham has shown improved form recently, going unbeaten in their last three games.

Team News

Southampton

Ivan Juric will be without several key players for his managerial debut:

• Out: Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios, Ross Stewart (long-term injuries).
• Ineligible: Maxwel Cornet (loan agreement with West Ham).
• Doubtful: Will Smallbone (hamstring).

Notable Return: Aaron Ramsdale started against Fulham after a six-week injury layoff, helping Southampton secure a clean sheet.

Predicted Lineup (5-2-1-2):
GK: Ramsdale
DEF: Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters
MID: Downes, Aribo
CAM: Fernandes
FOR: Dibling, Archer

West Ham

Julen Lopetegui faces challenges with injuries and suspensions:

• Out: Michail Antonio (fractured leg).
• Suspended: Lucas Paquetá (yellow card accumulation).

Key Adjustments:

• Mohammed Kudus is expected to move centrally in Paquetá’s absence.
• Crysencio Summerville could start on the left wing.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
GK: Fabianski
DEF: Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson
MID: Alvarez, Soucek
ATT: Bowen, Kudus, Summerville
ST: Fullkrug

Match Analysis

Southampton’s Approach

Ivan Juric’s immediate focus will be defensive stability. Southampton has conceded 36 goals in 17 matches, the third-worst record in the league. The Saints will likely adopt a cautious approach, relying on their defensive organization to frustrate West Ham and hoping to capitalize on set-pieces or counterattacks.

West Ham’s Approach

West Ham has shown resilience in recent weeks but remains inconsistent. With Mohammed Kudus in a more central role, they’ll look to exploit Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities through Jarrod Bowen’s creativity and Niclas Fullkrug’s presence up front.

Prediction

Southampton will aim to make life difficult for West Ham under new manager Ivan Juric. While the Saints’ struggles in attack and defense are evident, the arrival of a new coach could inspire a more spirited performance. West Ham, despite their unbeaten run, may find it challenging to break down a motivated Southampton side.

Predicted Score: Southampton 1-1 West Ham

Key Players to Watch

• Southampton: Aaron Ramsdale – The goalkeeper’s return adds stability to Southampton’s defense.
• West Ham: Mohammed Kudus – With Paquetá suspended, Kudus will be central to West Ham’s attacking efforts.

FAQs

1. Who is managing Southampton for this game?
   Ivan Juric will make his debut as Southampton’s manager after replacing Russell Martin.
2. Why is Lucas Paquetá unavailable for West Ham?
   Paquetá is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
3. What is Southampton’s main weakness this season?
   The Saints have struggled defensively, conceding 36 goals, and have scored a league-low 11 goals.
4. Can West Ham extend their unbeaten run?
   West Ham is in better form but may find it tough against a rejuvenated Southampton under Juric.
5. What is the predicted result?
   A 1-1 draw, with both teams struggling to find consistent form.