Southampton vs West Ham Preview
- West Ham to win
- Bowen to score
Southampton host West Ham on Boxing Day in a pivotal clash at St Mary’s, with both sides desperate to steady their seasons.
For Southampton, the situation is dire as they fight to keep their slim survival hopes alive, while West Ham look to maintain their recent revival under Julen Lopetegui.
Southampton: A Mountain to Climb
Southampton’s season continues to unravel, with the Saints languishing eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League table.
New manager Ivan Jurić faces an uphill battle to spark a turnaround, and history offers little solace—only four teams have ever escaped relegation after sitting bottom on Christmas Day in the Premier League era.
The Saints’ form at home has been particularly alarming, with four of their last five league games at St Mary’s seeing them concede at least three goals.
Their most recent home outing was a humbling 5-0 defeat to Spurs by half-time, leaving fans dreading more defensive collapses.
Compounding their misery, Southampton haven’t won any of their last five home league H2Hs against West Ham (D2, L3), further diminishing their chances of a Boxing Day miracle.
Key Player: Jan Bednarek
The centre-back scored the winner the last time Southampton triumphed against West Ham on Boxing Day 2021. While his primary role will be defensive, his aerial threat could provide a crucial moment for the Saints.
West Ham: Building Momentum
West Ham have endured a turbulent season, with Julen Lopetegui’s job security under the spotlight until a recent three-match unbeaten run (W1, D2) eased some of the pressure.
Despite the progress, the Hammers remain inconsistent, particularly on the road, where they’ve secured just one win in their last seven league matches (D3, L3).
While their attack has been productive, scoring in six of their last seven away games, defensive frailties persist.
Lopetegui’s side has struggled to hold leads and maintain solidity, contributing to their poor away record. Nonetheless, West Ham’s quality in attack, led by Jarrod Bowen, makes them favourites against a Southampton side struggling for form and confidence.
Key Player: Jarrod Bowen
Bowen has been clinical this season, with four of his five league goals closing the scoring and all coming after half-time. His knack for delivering in key moments will be vital against a fragile Southampton defence.
Tactical Battle
- Southampton’s Approach:
Jurić will likely set up defensively to avoid another heavy defeat, relying on counter-attacks and set-pieces to trouble West Ham. Jan Bednarek and the backline must contain Bowen and Michail Antonio to keep the Saints in the game. - West Ham’s Approach:
Lopetegui’s side will aim to exploit Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities through quick transitions and wide play. Bowen and Lucas Paquetá will be key to unlocking a Saints defence that has looked porous under pressure.
What’s at Stake?
- Southampton: A win is crucial to keeping their slim survival hopes alive and preventing the gap to safety from growing further.
- West Ham: Victory would consolidate their recent improvement, pushing them further from the relegation zone and closer to mid-table security.
Head-to-Head Insights
- Southampton haven’t won any of their last five home league games against West Ham (D2, L3).
- The Saints have conceded at least three goals in four of their last five home league matches.
- West Ham have scored in six of their last seven away league outings, but have won just once in that period (D3, L3).
- Jarrod Bowen has scored five league goals this season, all after half-time, with four closing the scoring.
Prediction
Southampton’s struggles, combined with West Ham’s attacking quality, suggest the visitors will have the edge in this Boxing Day clash. While the Saints may show more fight under Jurić, their defensive vulnerabilities could be their undoing against a more clinical West Ham side.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 West Ham
This encounter offers plenty of intrigue, with Southampton desperate to spark a miraculous survival run and West Ham looking to cement their recovery. Can the Saints rise to the occasion, or will the Hammers deepen their woes? Fans are in for an intense battle at St Mary’s.
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Southampton v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League