Premier League action resumes with Southampton hosting West Ham United on Saturday. Get set for the encounter at St Mary's with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Southampton vs West Ham United
Premier League
St Mary’s Stadium
Saturday 11th September, 3pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: David Coote
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Michael Salisbury
VAR: Martin Atkinson
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
After encouraging performances against Manchester United and Newcastle earned consecutive draws, Saints return to St Mary’s looking for a first win of the season.
Perhaps meriting more from their last two Premier League outings, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side will have to be at their best against an unbeaten West Ham.
Scoring 10 goals in their opening three matches – the joint-best alongside champions Manchester City – David Moyes’s side will be looking to keep pace with the early-season leaders.
TEAM NEWS
Southampton’s internationals have returned to Staplewood with a clean bill of health, although Shane Long remains in self-isolation after producing a positive Covid-19 test while with the Republic of Ireland squad.
Stuart Armstrong remains sidelined with his calf problem and will be joined by Theo Walcott who has picked up an injury.
Long-term absentee Will Smallbone is set to return to group training next week as a comeback nears.
For the visitors, David Moyes could hand debuts to recent signings Kurt Zouma, Nikola Vlašić and Alex Král, with Arthur Masuaku the only major injury concern.
THE MANAGERS
Ralph Hasenhüttl: "We know the strength that they have. Very good individual qualities in the team. But also a very clear and efficient way of playing football. This is the reason why they've been so successful.
"If you want, they don't give you many chances of winning balls, because they don't take many risks building up. They have quick counter-attacks, quick ball into the striker and a very dynamic strong guy in Antonio. He can decide games by his own.”
David Moyes: To follow.
ONES TO WATCH
Mohamed Elyounoussi: Marking his first Premier League start since 2019 with a goal last time out at Newcastle, Elyounoussi has maintained his sparkling form on international duty.
Netting in Norway’s win over Latvia, the winger will be looking to build on his four goals in the last two games for Saints.
Michail Antonio: Now West Ham’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League, the former Saint has made an electric start to 2021/22.
Top scorer in the league with four goals, the striker has found the back of the net in all three league appearances to date.
TOP PERFORMERS
Southampton:
Goals:
Mohamed Elyounoussi 4
Armando Broja 2
Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Walker-Peters, Tella, A. Armstrong 1
Assists:
Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse 2
Redmond, Walker-Peters, Adams 1
West Ham:
Goals:
Michail Antonio 4
Benrahma, Fornals 2
Cresswell, Soucek 1
Assists:
Michail Antonio 3
Saïd Benrahma 2
Fornals, Coufal, Rice 1
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 111
Saints: 34
Draws: 31
West Ham: 46
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
May 2021: West Ham 3-0 Saints
December 2020: Saints 0-0 west Ham
February 2020: West Ham 3-1 Saints (Obafemi)
December 2019: Saints 0-1 West Ham
May 2019: West Ham 3-0 Saints
St Mary's Stadium
DID YOU KNOW?
- Mohamed Elyounoussi has been involved in six goals in his last two games for Saints in all competitions (four goals, two assists).
KEEP UP TO DATE
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