Southampton - West Ham

The key word here is momentum. Previous articles have touched upon Southampton’s mental fragility, especially when holding on to winning positions. Yet since Hasenhuttl’s arrival, the Austrian has instilled a sense of resilience and ruthlessness absent to date this season, whilst teaching a team of under-performers how to win again.
The pace and tenacity of Nathan Redmond on the counter attack coupled with the guile of a revitalised Stuart Armstrong could cause West Ham problems, especially against a West Ham team which failed to keep out an average Watford attack last week at the London Stadium. The on loan Danny Ings has scored three goals in his last two games and if he can work the channel between the West Ham defensive pairing with the same aplomb he managed against Arsenal and Huddersfield respectively, he could be detrimental to West Ham’s chance of success.
The potential return to the starting line up of Mario Lemina could also cause headaches for Pellegrini as the Gabonese midfielder seeks to impress a host of European clubs with his revival in form. No-one doubts the underlying talent but the Lemina will need to add consistency to his game if he seeks to take the next step as a player. His ability to retain possession in tight spaces will undoubtedly cause issues for a West Ham team prone to conceding. so am banking on home win ft.

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