Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs West Ham United

Published on: 05/02/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs West Ham United

February 6, 2016 17:30pm - St. Marys Stadium

Premier League

Southampton and West Ham are side-by-side in the Premier League table but the Hammers are five points better off than their rivals. Will the gap be reduced or extended when the team meet at St. Marys` on Saturday evening?

A return to form for the Saints

After a mid-season blip that saw them lose six out of eight games, Southampton are now back in the top seven thanks to an unbeaten run of four games that included three wins and a draw. They remain just one place behind West Ham but the Londoners have a five-point advantage over Ronald Koeman`s men.

The Saints have not conceded a goal in any of their last four games - of which they won three and drew one. Most recently, they played out a goalless draw away to title contenders Arsenal. Prior to that, they took all three points from a trip to Old Trafford (0-1).

Watford still in top half of the table

In a season full of surprises, West Hams achievement may have somewhat overshadowed by the achievements of Leicester City. However, the Hammers are right in the hunt for European places heading into the final third of the season.

The East London side have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League matches and are currently sat in sixth place just a point behind big spending Manchester United.

Slaven Bilic`s men come into this game on the back of a 2-0 win at home to rock-bottom Aston Villa. Prior to that, they played out a 2-2 draw at home to title favourites Manchester City.

Team news

The home side will be without Jay Rodriguez and Florin Gardos, while Charlie Austin and Steven Davis should both be fit after suffering from knocks.

The visitors are be hoping that Sam Byram, Andy Carroll and Angelo Ogbonna will be available - however, Carl Jenkinson, Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are set to miss out.

Recent form (League)

Southampton: DWWWL

West Ham United: WDLWW

Betting odds and tips

Southampton have won their last three home games without conceding a goal. Meanwhile, the Hammers have won just one of their last seven on the road, having lost three and drawn the other three.

You can back the Saints to come out on top at 8/11 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 05/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (05/02/2016 14:50:30) but are subject to change.