Southampton vs West Ham Prediction & Betting Tips (26 December)

Back in the elite this season, Southampton are not at the level at the moment. The promoted player is dead last in the Premier League and already finds himself on very unfavorable waivers to avoid the descent. The Saints went 6 league games without a win, 1 draw and 5 defeats and the big setback suffered against Tottenham 0-5 led to the dismissal of coach Russell Martin. Since then, Southampton have lost to Liverpool in the EFL Cup 1-2 before traveling to Fulham this coming weekend. Not at the level expected this season, West Ham have fallen out of the fight for European places.

The London team is struggling to string together good results despite a squad that should allow them to feature at least in the first half of the table. After having two losses against Arsenal 2-5 and Leicester 3-1, the Hammers managed to glean two positive results. Fallers of relegation Wolverhampton 2-1, they then took a point on the lawn of Bournemouth 1-1. Last weekend, West Ham hosted Brighton.

Southampton's squad is further reduced by injuries to goalkeepers Ramsdale (starter this season) and Bazunu (starter last season, long-term injured), long-term absentee Larios, potentially starting midfielder Smallbone and replacement striker Stewart. The recent change of coach should revive Southampton, which has the worst attack and the 19th defense in the championship. West Ham remain without striker Antonio whose career is now in jeopardy after his car accident. The coach can otherwise count on his entire squad this week.

This is particularly the case of the influential Bowen (4 goals and 4 assists in the PL). The other offensive players Paqueta (3 goals in PL) and Kudus (2 goals in PL) are available, as is the German striker who has been injured for a long time this season, Fullkrug (1 goal in PL).