West Ham United return to Football to face the Saints in another crucial October outing, one that could see the Hammers return to the top of the table. Nuno Santos side coming into this game sat in second place on 22 points, while Swansea still retain their lead on 23 despite losing out last weekend.
Southampton fans last weekend were disappointed with a goalless draw Bolton and hoping to break the 20-point mark this weekend, however, they will have to triumph over a fully fit Hammers side if they want to do so.
Former West Ham United player, James Ward-Prowse is expected to stop but other former player, Flynn Downs, is a doubt after suffering a muscle injury. Nuno’s side remain fully fit, bar Keiber Lamadrid.
West Ham have already faced this Southampton side this season in the Carabao Cup, where Nuno secured a 4-1 victory, which was much needed at the time. Since then both sides have picked up form and Southampton have recovered rather well from their initial points deduction, making them one amongst many promotion candidates this season.
With a seven-day gap between the Swansea and Southampton fixture, it allows Nuno to play the side he prefers rather than a side for fitness reasons. In the Carabao Cup, Nuno opted to play a 4-2-3-1. However, since August, a lot has changed and due to its inconsistencies, he may need to look elsewhere to secure victory on Saturday.
The match will be officiated by the one and only Michael Salisbury, who typically officiates the Premier League. Judging by his previous performance at a West Ham game, he’ll need to keep his eyes peeled, as there’s no VAR, which was used across the three penalties he handed out in our 2-2 draw against Brighton last season.
Hopefully nothing like that on the Saturday!
It certainly won’t be an easy fixture against Southampton and will likely be a close outing on the Saturday, but with the momentum our way, Nuno’s side have no excuse not to go out there and provide 110% to make it three victories in a row.
Comments
For me Piroe has to start
For me Piroe has to start matches now. He's a predator and more instinctive than Pablo and less theatrical than Taty. But no doubt he'll be on the bench.
I'd start with both
Piroe AND Taty with Austbo and Bowen to feed them, one defensive midfielder and one attacking midfielder in the middle in a fluid 4-4-2/ 4-2-4 lineup
Yes good one Deluded,go at
Yes good one Deluded,go at them from the off and keep going.
Agree with that, especially
Agree with that, especially Asbo starting and Taty behind Piroe..
We are at home, we should be at these from the start..