TIPS: Southampton vs West Ham

Posted Thursday, December 26, 2024 by 7M Sport

Team Analysis

Southampton

The newly-promoted side Southampton have been poor so far this season, and they are struggling in the relegation zone, with 8 points away from the survival section. The team held Fulham to a draw in the last away round to end their 4-game losing streak and showed a good defense, so they vow to grab points returning home this time.

Southampton won two games this season, including one league game and one cup game at home, against Everton and EFL Championship team Stoke City F.C. respectively. They will be better when playing at home.

Southampton were close to West Ham United F.C. in two legs of the previous season, including a 1-1 draw at home. They kept unbeaten in the last 4 home encounters.

AH market provided home team a +0/0.5 line for this game. Although Southampton are at the bottom of the table, they are expected to be unbeaten combined with their H2H records and West Ham United's performance.

Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is out for the season. Midfielder William Smallbone, center forward Ross Stewart and wing-back Juan Larios are all unavailable for this game.

Southampton won only 1 of 17 rounds so far this season, but lost 11 of them. The team are too weak to stay in the Premier League.

Southampton conceded 36 goals so far in the season, averaging more than 1 goal per game. They conceded 21 goals in 8 games, with a terrible defense.

Southampton couldn't score in the last draw against Fulham. They scored only 7 goals in the last 8 league games at home, and scored only 4 goals in the last 6 rounds, with a terrible offense.

West Ham United F.C.

West Ham United F.C. kept unbeaten in the last 3 games. In addition to a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, they held two dark horses Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and AFC Bournemouth to two draws consecutively with tough performances. They are improving in form, and will be in stronger morale to grab points in this game against the bottom side Southampton.

The OVER/UNDER line changed from 3.00 to 2.5/3. West Ham United's offense has been gloomy recently, and Southampton have a tough defense at home, so goals are not expected in this game.

West Ham United F.C. forward Michail Antonio, who suffered a car accident, is out for the season. Key midfielder Lucas Paqueta is suspended due to a red card, which would be a huge blow to their midfield and front line.

West Ham United F.C. achieved 5 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses in 17 league games with 20 points, and they are ranked 14th in the Premier League, with a win rate of 29.4%. Combined with their massive transfers in the summer, they had a very poor first half of the season.

West Ham United F.C. just ot 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 8 away rounds, with a win rate of only 20%, which reveals their poor away ability.

West Ham United F.C. conceded 11 goals in the last 6 league games, averaging nearly 2 goals per game. The unstable defense is one of the key reasons for their slipping records.

West Ham United F.C. scored 9 goals in the last 8 away games with a mediocre offense this season. Niclas Fullkrug, the new-signing German international this season, is not adapting well.

West Ham United F.C. just scored 3 goals in the last 5 games away to Southampton with a poor offense, so they may face a big challenge in the offense this time.

Tips

Southampton conceded more than 2.3 goals per game on average with a terrible defense this season, and they are deep in the relegation zone.

It will be very difficult to turn this around with the current strength of the team's roster, but they showed a tough defense by drawing against Fulham in the last away game.

Southampton kept unbeaten in the last 4 home games against West Ham United, which may be an important factor that prevents the bookmakers to fully support the visitors.

Improving West Ham United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, and drew against AFC Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. in the last 3 games, but their major midfielder Lucas Paqueta is unavailable this time, which would be a big blow to them.

Thus, it's hard for West Ham United to score against Southampton's solid defense.

In conclusion, we believe Southampton to keep unbeaten at home.