Three straight victories have seen Southampton virtually secure their Premiership status, but the Saints are, nonetheless, determined to extend their winning run against West Ham. The Hammers were quite fortunate to avoid a defeat at Anfield, and they might need another smile from the Lady Luck if they are to get anything from St Mary’s.

How’s that for relegation strugglers!

Few would have thought that Southampton would clinch Premier League survival ahead of the final day of the season, but apart from the early exchanges, the fact is the Saints never looked like relegation strugglers. In all fairness, the team looked pretty good under Nigel Adkins, but it was since Mauricio Pochettino took over that they really started playing to their potential. The Saints are not exactly a force to be reckoned with on the road, but they have been pretty impressive in away games since the turn of the year. As far as their home showings are concerned, they may have lost to QPR at St Mary’s, but having beaten the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool, they have plenty of reason for optimism before the West Ham match. The amazing performance in the 2-0 victory over Reading further improve the atmosphere in the team and with captain Adam Lallana returning to the starting line-up after having just signed a new five-year deal, it is fair to say the Saints are in a good position to record their fourth victory on the trot and reach the magic 40-point mark.

Jay Rodriguez, Luke Shaw and Jason Puncheon have been struck by a virus and they are doubtful for the visit of West Ham.

Hammers lack edge on the travels

West Ham’s style of football is completely opposite to that which Southampton play under Mauricio Pochettino, but Sam Allardyce is certainly hoping his hard-tackling approach can help the team avoid defeat at St Mary’s. It is not as if the Hammers have a lot to hope for at the moment, with their away displays leaving a lot to be desired. Having lost 10 of 16 matches on the road, it will be difficult for them to fare any better at St Mary’s than the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool. On top of that, the Hammers are also missing some important players. Key midfielders Joe Cole and Mark Noble continue to miss out, while important defender Winston Reid is also unavailable. Andy Carroll may be set to return to the starting line-up, but with the team desperately lacking in creativity, there is only so much the towering striker can do on his own. The Hammers will have something to build on having held Liverpool to a goalless draw last time out, but it is important to note they rode their luck for much of the game at Anfield.

Joe Cole, Winston Reid, Mark Noble and George McCartney are out injured, but Andy Carroll is back after he was ineligible to face his parent club.

Verdict

Given the form the team are in and the quality of sides they beat in their last two encounters at St Mary’s, I just don’t see how Southampton are going to fail against struggling West Ham. The Hammers are utterly disappointing on the travels and they will find it hard to match red-hot Saints on Saturday afternoon.

Top pick: Home win   1.95 (19/20) @ bet365

Alternative pick 1: Southampton to score two or more   1.91 (10/11) @ Coral

Alternative pick 2: Southampton/Southampton   3.10 (21/10) @ BetVictor

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