Where’s It At?
It’s at the new acquired London Stadium. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 2ST, United Kingdom. In line with all of West Ham’s recent procurements and the targets they missed out on this summer, this move will, however, go a long way in West Ham’s claim to the top stakes in English football. All they need now is… better results on the pitch.
When’s It On?
It’s on a tricky 4pm BST time-slot. Neither too early, nor too late, the perfect time for a shut eye. It’s a Sunday, so be sure to wake up from you’re filling afternoon siesta, in time to catch this match.
Should I Bring My Brolly?
Doesn’t look like you’d need to. There will be sporadic could cover about, with the temperature at an 18 C. Not going to be as breezy as you’d like with 19 kmph winds coming in from the west South-west. Humidity should be at a manageable 50%, with a chance of rain at a lowly 7%.
It’s On The Telly, Yeah?
Yes, of course. Since it’s the only fixture of the day on Sunday, Sky Sports 1 will start it’s usual glossy match build up from 3:30 pm BST
Team News
West Ham
For West Ham, their ever burgeoning sick list has the name of Winston Reid on it, with the New Zealander being a doubt for the match owing to a lack of time on the training pitch.
The usual suspects in Andy Carroll [tentative return date -15th October] and Aaron Cresswell [ should be back doing his running exercises by late November] line up on the treatment table awaiting their sponge-match, along with their new roomie, Andre Ayew [hobbling around with till Christmas]. Masuaka and Sakho are also sidelined, and should be a game or two away from match fitness.
Southampton
The only sort of injuries they have seemed to incur, Southampton, are the long-term ones. Boufal being the exception [expected to return -mid-October], Gardos and Pied faces a prolonged spell on the box seats with injuries that would keep them out til December and June respectively.
The Form Book
West Ham United
West Ham saved their fans from their blushes, scraping through a 1-0 win over a lowly Accrington Stanley, in midweek’s English League Cup fixture. Prior to that, their confidence was violated by a 4-2 thumping away to West Bromwich Albion, and a more scandalous 2-4 lurch vs Watford at home.
Southampton
Claude Peul’s side have shown the resilience to grind the odd result or two. Winning 2-0 vs Crystal Palace in midweek, 1-0 vs Swansea on match-day 5, and 3-0 vs Sparta Praha in a Europa League group K fixture.
What To Expect
All of Southampton’s wins in the past few matches have been at home. Despite that fact, considering West Ham’s torrid form, it may be a match where the pressure will be solely on the home side to set the precedent.
Prediction
1-2
Possible Line-ups
West Ham [4231]
Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Arbeloa, Byram; Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Lanzini, Payet, Zaza.
Southampton [442]
Forster; Fonte, Van Dijk, Soares, Bertrand; Romeu, Tadic, Clasie, Davis; Long, Redmond.
Match Odds
Home: 7-4
Away: 8-5
Draw: 9-4
