West Ham United vs Southampton

London Stadium forms the backdrop for a ‘make or break’ Premier League relegation six-pointer between West Ham United and Southampton.
March’s international break couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment for West Ham United, who looked up the creek without a paddle, going winless in five of their last six Premier League matches (D3, L2), including two in a row in the build-up to this clash. Despite alternating between drawing (2) and winning (2) across their last four league outings on home turf, David Moyes’ men start this round in the drop zone, one point adrift of 17th-placed Leicester City. Anything other than three points could lead to Moyes’ dismissal, especially given West Ham’s formidable ten-match Premier League form against Southampton (W6, D3). Defensive improvement is required to boost West Ham’s survival hopes, considering they’ve kept a league-second joint-low five clean sheets this season.
Speaking of immense defensive woes, visiting Southampton have registered a league-low four shutouts this term, though they held Manchester United at bay on their most recent Premier League travel (0-0). Nailed to the bottom of the standings after winning a joint-low six top-flight matches in 2022/23, Southampton could still finish this round outside the bottom three as they sit only two points below safety. However, it will require the ‘Saints’ to arrest a three-game winless league run (D2, L1), which may not be an impossible task following a nail-biting 3-3 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur on the eve of the international break. Adding to this sentiment, the visitors have taken eight points across their six Premier League games under Ruben Selles (W2, D2, L2), as many as in their 17 league outings beforehand. Worryingly, though, they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet in three of their last four top-flight travels.