Southampton v West Ham Predictions, Betting Tips and Previews

St.Mary's Stadium - Premier League

Mauricio Pellegrino will be hoping to kick start his spell as Southampton manager after something of a false start in his first game in the hot seat.

Past Meetings

Previous meetings between these two sides have thrown up positive results for both, with West Ham winning 3-1 at St. Mary's last season, just months after the Saints had won 3-0 at the London Stadium.
 

Team News

Pellegrino's only injury concern is over team captain Virgil van Dijk, who remains sidelined with an illness.

The Dutch defender has been the subject of sustained transfer speculation all summer, with Liverpool heavily linked with a move for him, however they have been unsuccessful so far, but could still make another late bid.

West Ham have a number of injuries ahead of the trip to the south coast, with Manuel Lanzini and Cheikhou Kouyate both ruled out with knee injuries. Both players have missed the whole of the Hammers pre-season campaign, and will need time to get back up to match fitness, with neither expected back in first team action until the end of August.

Striker Andy Carroll is also out injured, with a groin strain keeping him sidelined until the middle of September.

Southampton v West Ham Preview and Predictions

The recent record between these two sides gives little away as to how Saturday's meeting may pan out, although Southampton have a slight edge in terms of recent form.

The Saints were held to a goal less draw by Swansea at home on the opening, while West Ham were comfortably beaten 4-0 at Old Trafford, a defeat that will have dented their confidence.

Back to back home games should provide Southampton with an ideal springboard to get their season up and running on Saturday, with a home win priced at 4/6.

Given both sides shyness in front of goal on the opening weekend of the Premier League, this is unlikely to be a goal fest on the south coast, and an under 2.5 goals bet looks a relatively safe bet, priced at 5/6.

Recommended Bets

Southampton to win 2-0 at 15/2

Southampton should shake their opening day result and get a relatively straightforward win against a Hammers side that could be in real danger this season if they do not make signings and improve their away form.

Manolo Gabbiadini to score first at 7/2

Gabbiadini enjoyed an excellent end to the 2016-17 season following his January transfer from Serie A side Napoli netting five goals upon his arrival. He will be hoping to get himself off the mark against a West Ham defence that was picked apart by a ruthless Manchester United attack last weekend.