Can Southampton close out 2020 with a win? Get the lowdown ahead of the Premier League clash with West Ham with our Match Pack, in association with eToro...
THE MATCH
Southampton vs West Ham
St Mary’s Stadium
Premier League
Tuesday 29 December, 6pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Andy Madley
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Richard West
Fourth official: Tim Robinson
VAR: Andre Marriner
Assistant VAR: Tim Wood
HOW TO WATCH
The fixture will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, with Saints fans requiring an Amazon Prime subscription.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Both sides come into the clash having taken two points from their last three games, meaning the meeting at St Mary’s offers a last chance to end 2020 with a victory.
With Saints and West Ham encroaching on the top 10 after standout starts to the campaign, their festive fortunes have faltered slightly.
Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side return home after a goalless trip to Fulham, whilst the Hammers twice came from behind to salvage a point against Brighton last time out.
A win for the hosts could catapult them as high as fourth depending on results elsewhere, whilst David Moyes’ side could move into the Europa League spots with three points.
TEAM NEWS
The second game in the space of four days for Southampton, Ralph Hasenhüttl will be boosted by the return of Oriol Romeu from suspension.
Having missed the Boxing Day clash at Fulham, top scorer Danny Ings and winger Nathan Redmond will need further assessment, with Jannik Vestergaard also carrying a knee injury.
For West Ham, David Moyes will have 24 hours less to prepare for the trip to St Mary's having only played Brighton on Sunday.
Michail Antonio could provide a timely boost after returning to training following a hamstring injury.
Ralph hasenhüttl
We have never won against them so far and never taken points, so we have to do it better than we have in the past.
on facing West Ham
THE MANAGERS
Ralph Hasenhüttl: "We have never won against them so far and never taken points, so we have to do it better than we have in the past.
"We have to be concentrated for this tough game, find the right players to choose and hopefully we can cause them some issues."
David Moyes: To follow
ONES TO WATCH
Kyle Walker-Peters: Saints’ full-back has played every minute of league action so far this season, and has consistently delivered noteworthy performances.
Making 11 tackles against Fulham – the most by any player in the Premier League this season – Walker-Peters also offers an attacking outlet down the right wing.
Tomáš Souček: The Czech Republic international has become an integral part of West Ham’s midfield, becoming effective in both boxes.
Able to compliment Declan Rice when defending, Souček also offers a potent attacking option, with last-minute runs into the box and a knack of scoring from corners.
TOP PERFORMERS
Inclusive of all competitions
Southampton:
Goals:
Danny Ings 6
Ché Adams, James Ward-Prowse 4
Jannik Vestergaard 3
Assists:
Ché Adams 4
Danny Ings, James Ward-Prowse 3
Theo Walcott, Stuart Armstrong 2
West Ham:
Goals:
Sébastien Haller 7
Jarrod Bowen, Tomáš Souček 4
Michail Antonio 3
Assists:
Aaron Cresswell 4
Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini 3
Bowen, Fornals, Anderson, Benrahma, Coufal 2
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 109
Saints: 34
Draws: 30
West Ham: 45
DID YOU KNOW?
- Southampton have kept seven clean sheets in their 16 Premier League home games in 2020, last keeping more in a single calendar year at St Mary’s in 2015 (8).
- Against no side has Southampton’s Theo Walcott scored more Premier League goals than he has vs West Ham (6). However, he’s not scored in any of his last five against the Hammers, with five of his six goals against them coming between 2011 and 2013.
KEEP UP TO DATE
We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all of the action from St Mary’s, as well as a host of behind-the-scenes access.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with all of the live in-game updates and free audio commentary of the match, and be sure to follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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