Sixth plays seventh on the South Coast this weekend, as both Southampton and West Ham eye-off the European places in the run toward May.
The Saints are coming off their fourth straight clean sheet, shutting out a potent Gunners side in North London during a goalless stalemate, while West Ham squeezed past a gallant 10-man Aston Villa 2-0 in East London.
Southampton have gone under the radar recently to find themselves in seventh-place, while West Ham continue to hover towards the right end of the table, somewhat unnoticed. However, when the two sides do battle at St. Mary’s Stadium in Saturday’s late game, there will be nowhere to hide at a venue which has failed to split these two sides since their respective promotions from the Championship almost four years ago.
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Key Battle – Fraser Forster vs Enner Valencia
For two teams flying under the radar, there is a lot of spotlight on this battle – a duel between two of the league’s in form players.
It is no coincidence that manager of the month Ronald Koeman has been able to arrest a mid-season slump since goalkeeper Forster has taken his place back between the sticks. Since his return from a serious knee injury suffered last campaign, the Saints have won three and drawn one – without conceding a goal in the process. The glovesman was in stunning form at the Emirates Stadium, thwarting an unlucky Gunners side again and again, enabling his side to escape with a precious point.
Hammers forward Valencia has been in stunning form himself, scoring four and providing one assist as part of the last seven league goals for the East London side.
If Forster can keep Valencia out, this will go a long way to rectifying his side’s recent poor record against West Ham. Valencia is key to the Hammers’ hopes of taking the points and will need to be on his game if he is to stop Southampton equalling their record of five consecutive Premier League clean sheets, a feat achieved in 2001.
Team News
Koeman decided to move away from the 3-5-2 formation for a more defensive shape for the trip to Arsenal. The Dutchman may revert to the formation which yielded three wins in three games, as they will look to take control of the match in front of their own fans.
Expect Steven Davis to again sit out and he is likely to be joined by left-sided player Matt Targett as he struggles with a minor knock. In better news for Saints, Charlie Austin is set to return after missing the trip to North London, although he may take a spot among the substitutes bench along with Graziano Pelle.
New signing Sam Byram will miss this one for the Hammers, however, Slaven Bilic’s side will be boosted by the likely return of Southampton’s nemesis last time out in Andy Carroll, who is likely to take a spot on the bench. Emmanuel Emenike could also be named as a substitute, while Angelo Ogbonna is in doubt and first choice forwards Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini remain out of action.
Head-to-head
Since both sides were promoted back to the Premier League for the 2012-13 season they have met seven times, with Southampton winning one, West Ham three and three ending in draws. The three draws all came at St. Mary’s Stadium, a venue which has failed to split these sides in the last three seasons.
Previous Meeting
They last met in late December at Upton Park, with West Ham coming from behind to register a 2-1 victory. Dusan Tadic tapped home a Shane Long cross, which was later credited as a Carl Jenkinson own goal. Southampton proceeded to dominate the first-half, but were not able to capitalise on their chances. It proved costly as Michail Antonio equalised with 20 minutes remaining and Carroll netted with 10 to go, to pick his side up off the canvas and strike the knockout blow.
Prediction
History tells us this fixture, at this venue, will be a tightly contested match and this one should be no different. With both sides among the most inconsistent and unpredictable in the league, anything can happen. It would appear however, teams six and seven will cancel each other out for the fourth straight time at St. Mary’s.
Southampton 0 West Ham 0
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