Premier League | Gameweek 18

Dec 26, 2024 at 3pm UK

St. Mary's Stadium

Southampton vs. West Ham

Match preview

Juric may have been reduced to a spectator at Craven Cottage at the weekend, but Southampton's new manager may well have already made his mark, as Simon Rusk's side put European minnows Fulham to the sword.

The Saints' creditable draw at Craven Cottage came on the back of a strong performance against Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, but they were always doomed to fail against the champions and the consensus is that they will suffer the same fate in the Premier League.

With just six points from their opening 51 games this season, 20th-placed Southampton are all but guaranteed to be propping up the division at the halfway stage, and Juric inherits a Saints side lacking confidence and eight points adrift of safety.

Southampton's new boss may have been a small fish in a big pond at Roma, but Torino and Hellas Verona's undeniable progress under his stewardship offers some cause for optimism, even if a Big Sam-esque escape is not in the cards for the Saints.

It's never over until it's mathematically over, but the goal-shy Saints have now failed to find the back of the net in their last three Premier League games; not since October 2018 have Thursday's hosts gone on a prolonged scoreless run in any division.

As Juric embarks on his Premier League journey, Lopetegui's tenure at West Ham United was tipped to come to an end during the club's early-season struggles, but talk of his sacking has died down thanks to a three-match unbeaten run in the Irons' dugout.

After a fiery victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a creditable 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, who only managed a late equaliser from Enes Unal's extraordinary free-kick, West Ham snatched a point from the Seagulls in week 17 when Mohammed Kudus cancelled out Mats Wieffer's opener.

The former Conference League champions may not be safe in 14th place, but they are eight points clear of the relegation zone and just two points behind Manchester United, who have rediscovered their knack of making the net bulge.

Kudus' header against Brighton marked West Ham's sixth successive Premier League game in which they have scored - although Lopetegui's men have also conceded in each of the last five - and Boxing Day away trips tend to be an enjoyable experience for the Hammers faithful.

Indeed, the Irons are unbeaten in their last six league games away from London on 26 December, and have only lost one of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Southampton, although that was coincidentally a 3-2 home defeat on Boxing Day 2021.

Recent Performance

Southampton Premier League form:LDLLLD

Southampton form (all competitions):DLLLLD

West Ham United Premier League form:WLLWDD

Team News

Having welcomed back goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to the side against Fulham, Southampton will be able to welcome back Jack Stephens for the visit of West Ham after the veteran defender served a four-match ban in the draw with the Cottagers.

However, Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (calf) and Will Smallbone (thigh) are all unavailable for Juric's first game in charge, while Maxwel Cornet cannot face his parent club but is on the fringes of the first-team squad anyway.

Juric has long been an advocate of playing three central defenders - a system familiar to Southampton - and the likes of Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong and Paul Onuachu should all battle for two striker berths in the Croatian's side.

Meanwhile, West Ham are one in and one out on the suspension front, having lost Lucas Paqueta to a yellow card, but Carlos Soler has been cleared to play and should be a straight swap for the Brazilian in the number 10 slot.

Michail Antonio is continuing his rehabilitation from a horrific car accident, and the ever-cautious Lopetegui also confirmed in his pre-match press conference that two players will need late fitness tests, although he refused to name names.

Dinos Mavropanos is believed to be one of them - the Greek defender was taken off at half-time in the draw with Brighton - and Jean-Clair Todibo should be recalled to the rearguard at St Mary's.

Possible starting lineup

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek; Sugawara, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Soler, Kudus; Fullkrug