West Ham vs Southampton predictions, team news & confirmed line-ups
West Ham United’s fight against relegation continues this weekend when they welcome Southampton to the London Stadium.
The Hammers currently sit 18th, one point behind Aston Villa, but will be able to move out of the relegation zone with a point with the Villans not in Premier League action — instead contesting the Carabao Cup final.
Not too long ago, their opponents, Southampton, also looked to be in the relegation scrap but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are sitting pretty in 12th, 10 points clear of West Ham and surely safe from the drop.
But can they move even further away or will West Ham climb out of the bottom three?
Read on for our West Ham vs Southampton preview, predictions, team news and more.
When is West Ham vs Southampton and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: London Stadium
Date: Saturday, 29 February 2020
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: West Ham vs Southampton
14 Dec 2019: Southampton 0-1 West Ham (Premier League)
04 May 2019: West Ham 3-0 Southampton (Premier League)
27 Dec 2018: Southampton 1-2 West Ham (Premier League)
31 Mar 2018: West Ham 3-0 Southampton (Premier League)
19 Aug 2017: Southampton 3-2 West Ham (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: West Ham (WWWWL) 11-4 Southampton (LLLLW)
Ones to watch
West Ham: Robert Snodgrass
Although attention has been on other attacking players for West Ham this season, Robert Snodgrass has been the main man for the Hammers.
After a slightly stuttered start to the season, Snodgrass has featured in the past 18 league games, starting 16 and has often been a one-man mission to keep West Ham up.
He’s the only West Ham player to have been directly involved in 10 Premier League goals this season, scoring five and adding five assists, and will be key in trying to break through Southampton’s defence.
Key stat: Robert Snodgrass has averaged 1.98 chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Southampton: James Ward-Prowse
Danny Ings has been stealing the headlines at Southampton this season but behind him, James Ward-Prowse has continued to perform.
The 25-year-old is the creative hub of the Southampton team whether it be from midfield or at right-back, where he has filled in at times. Even when out of position, Ward-Prowse can cause problems for opposing defences and set chances on a plate for his teammates.
Ward-Prowse, along with Ings and Shane Long, will surely be looking forward to facing a leaky West Ham defence.
Key stat: James Ward-Prowse (42) has created more chances than any other Southampton player in the Premier League this season.
Team news
West Ham
📋 Here's how we line up for #WHUSOU pic.twitter.com/RYQVcQcqNG
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 29, 2020
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Southampton
🚨 T E A M S H E E T 🚨#SaintsFC make two changes for today's clash with #WHUFC: pic.twitter.com/hCG8ZpwH6G
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 29, 2020
Squawka prediction
West Ham have enjoyed the better of this fixture in recent times and were only just beaten by Liverpool on Monday, courtesy of a rare poor showing from Lukas Fabianski in goal.
But the manner of the defeat could prove costly to their moral and carry into Saturday’s game. Southampton returned to winning ways against Aston Villa last weekend after a brief dip and look likely to add another victory at the London Stadium.
