Southampton vs West Ham Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Ivan Juric is in the dugout for the first time as Southampton boss with struggling Saints, who need a miracle, welcome a West Ham United seemingly staving off the inevitable.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 26th December, 2024: UK – 3:00pm / US ET – 10:00am / US PT – 7:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Peacock

Southampton Preview: Saints need a miracle

Throughout this season, Southampton have badly struggled with just six points collected from their opening 17 matches of the campaign. Russell Martin was finally relieved of his duties about 11 days ago after a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s.

Interim coach Simon Rusk came in with a more direct approach as they lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the EFL Cup before a goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend. Former Roma boss Ivan Juric has said Saints are capable of ‘something exceptional’ and that is what they need.

West Ham Preview: Pressure remains on Lopetegui

Former Real Madrid, Sevilla, Spain and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui has been under pressure to differing extents throughout this season with the pressure slightly eased at the moment as the Irons enjoy a three-match unbeaten run of form.

That three-match run, though, has seen them squeeze past a struggling Wolves side by two goals to one at the London Stadium before back-to-back 1-1 draws against AFC Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion as they hover above the bottom three and the relegation places.

Southampton Team News: A few issues

Aaron Ramsdale was able to return to the Southampton starting eleven at the weekend but the hosts are dealing with a few issues. Will Smallbone has suffered a setback and remains sidelined, whilst Maxwel Cornet is ineligible but Jack Stephens has returned from suspension.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Sugawara, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Dibling; Armstrong

Unavailable: Bazunu (Injured), Larios (Injured), Smallbone (Injured), Cornet (Ineligible), Stewart (Injured)

Questionable: 

West Ham Team News: Paqueta suspension

With rumours of a move in January building, Lucas Paqueta is missing for this one through suspension but Carlos Soler has served his ban. Konstantinos Mavropanos was substituted at half-time against Brighton and is an injury doubt for this one.

Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Soler, Soucek, Kudus; Fullkrug

Unavailable: Paqueta (Suspended), Antonio (Injured)

Questionable: Mavropanos (Injured)

Southampton vs West Ham Prediction

Southampton do need something approaching a miracle but what better time of year to kick off a miracle than Boxing Day under new management. They have already shown a bit more effectiveness with their slightly more direct approach earning a point at Craven Cottage last weekend. West Ham are a team that can wobble and, if you were going to choose anyone to be the side to lose to a potentially buoyed Saints side and plunge themselves into crisis, then it would perhaps be the visitors – especially away from home.

Southampton vs West Ham Tip: Double chance – Southampton to win or draw