Southampton are hoping to just avoid the drop this season. This is the Saints’ seventh straight season in the Premier League, yet their fortunes have waned as the club has sold off their star players (mostly to Liverpool). They barely avoided relegation last year with Mark Hughes steering them from the drop zone to safety on the last day of the season, and management would be happy with another finish outside the bottom three. Southampton are sitting in 16th place with one game to play before the halfway point of the season, and they will take on West Ham this Thursday.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England at 2:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Southampton +121
West Ham United +214
Draw +245
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
West Ham were in the danger zone for the first month of the season, but the Hammers offseason acquisitions have found their footing in recent months and pulled the club towards the middle of the table. They currently sit tied with Everton in 11th place with 24 points, and they could conceivably vault all the way to seventh with a win here as they are three points behind Watford. West Ham have been very impressive over the last month, winning four in a row after a loss to Manchester City before losing to Watford on Saturday. The Hammers scored a total of 11 goals in those four wins.
Just two weeks ago, the Saints found themselves in the single digits in points. They looked to be in real danger with just nine points through 16 games, but they have rallied under new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. The former manager of Red Bull Leipzig arrived at the beginning of the month, and after a loss to Cardiff City, he steered the club to offensive explosions. Southampton knocked in three goals in wins over Arsenal and Huddersfield Town, and the club is now three points clear of the drop. They had won just one match beforehand, and it’s still a long way to go, but the early returns are promising.
Key Injuries
You might be surprised to see West Ham as this much of an underdog on the road until you look at their injury list. Manuel Lanzini, Ryan Fredericks, Jack Wilshere, Marko Arnautovic, Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez, and Andriy Yarmolenko are all out with a few of those injuries being long-term. Star center back Fabian Balbuena is doubtful to play, and it might be hard for the attack to get much going with Chicharito questionable and Lucas Perez probable.
Southampton are looking much better on this front. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation, and Ryan Bertrand continues to be out with a lower back injury.
Player to Watch
With so many offensive options out or potentially out for West Ham, Robert Snodgrass will be one of the players the fans rest their hopes on for goals. Snodgrass has been in fine form recently, and the former Norwich City and Aston Villa star has seen his persistence pay off. He opened the scoring for the Hammers in wins over Crystal Palace and Fulham, and he is looking to make an early strike here too.
Prop Bet of the Game – Will Both Teams Score? No +117
Given West Ham’s injury situation, Manuel Pellegrini might be a little more conservative on the road. Although the Hammers have been very happy to open up the pitch against smaller clubs in recent weeks, this is a tricky spot to be in. Both West Ham and Southampton will play three days after this tilt, and I don’t think either side will bomb up and down the pitch with abandon.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
If the Hammers had another one of their forwards fully fit, I would back West Ham here. The injury situation makes me favor Southampton though.
English Premier League Odds: Southampton 1, West Ham 0
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