Southampton host West Ham on Boxing Day with new Saints boss Ivan Juric taking charge of his first game.
WATCH — Southampton v West Ham
Juric watched on from the stands as Saints drew 0-0 at Fulham on Sunday, with Aaron Ramsdale back from injury and starring in a rare shutout. Southampton will be tougher to break down and defensively solid under Juric, so Sunday’s draw at Fulham was a sign of things to come. They have to score more goals though, with just 11 through their first 17 game of the season as they sit bottom of the table and eight points from safety. Juric’s mentor is Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, so we could expect some intriguing tactical tweaks from the Croatian coach in the coming months as he tries to pull off a great escape.
West Ham are becoming more sturdy too, as they drew 1-1 at home to Brighton on Saturday and that’s now two draws and a narrow win against Wolves in their last three games. That has eased some of the pressure on Julen Lopetegui but the Hammers are still hovering just above the relegation scrap and know they have to win games like this if they’re going to push for a top 10 finish, at the very least, this season.
How to watch Southampton vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Thursday (December 26)
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium — Southampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Southampton team news, focus
Saints will set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation and the duo of Cameron Archer and Paul Onuachu could come in up top, with Tyler Dibling perhaps missing out.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh)
West Ham team news, focus
The main question for Lopetegui is whether to start with Niclas Fullkrug up top as the German international gets back up to speed after a calf injury. West Ham have so many attacking options but are still figuring out the best combination in the final third.
OUT: Michail Antonio (DETAILS) | QUESTIONABLE: Konstantinos Mavropanos (knock)
Southampton vs West Ham prediction
This feels like it will be a really cagey game and although Southampton need to go for the win to help them in their current situation, where will the goals come from? Southampton 1-1 West Ham.