Preview - Southampton
WHUFC.com
When and where?
West Ham United v Southampton
Premier League
Sunday 25 September 2016, 4pm BST
London Stadium
What's the story?
West Ham United will look to build on the midweek EFL Cup victory over
Accrington Stanley when they welcome Southampton to London Stadium on
Sunday.
The Hammers ended a run of four straight defeats when Dimitri Payet's
last-gasp free-kick saw off Accrington and now will try to record their
second league win of the campaign.
After beating AFC Bournemouth in August, the Hammers were defeated by
Manchester City, Watford and West Bromwich Albion, but would climb above
Southampton in the table with victory over Claude Puel's team.
The Saints finished one place above West Ham in sixth place last term, and
have recovered from a slow start to the campaign with three straight wins in
all competitions.
After beating Sparta Prague 3-0 in their UEFA Europa League opener, they saw
off Swansea City in the league and Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.
They currently sit 13th in the league table, with five points from as many
games.
Team news
The Hammers will be without Arthur Masuaku, who is facing six weeks out with
a knee ligament problem. Alvaro Arbeloa could make his Premier League bow in
his place, with Sam Byram at right back.
Andre Ayew, Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho remain sidelined,
while Adrian is expected to return in goal following Darren Randolph's run
out in the EFL Cup in midweek.
For Southampton, Charlie Austin could start after scoring four in his last
three games. However, Jay Rodriguez is out with a groin problem.
Any links between the two?
West Ham winger Michail Antonio had a spell on loan at Southampton from
Reading back in the 2009/10 season.
He notched seven goals in 39 appearances for the Saints, including one at
Wembley in their EFL Trophy triumph against Carlisle United.
Last season the Hammers beat Southampton 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, with
Antonio and Andy Carroll on target.
Southampton won the return 1-0 at St Mary's.
How can I get to the game?
Supporters using Abellio Greater Anglia services should note that
replacement buses are running between Witham/Billericay and London. Click
here for more info.
Click here for the latest on the Tubes, here for train info and here for
up-to-date news on road travel.
How can I watch the game?
The match is being broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. Broadcast
information for supporters based overseas can be found here. You can also
follow all the action live on whufc.com and our social media channels.
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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com
We all know the importance of getting back on the winning trail in the
Premier League following disappointing defeats against Watford and West
Brom. But we will be hoping to build on the midweek victory over the
resilient Accrington Stanley and you cannot underestimate the importance
that a win can do for a squad - especially the way we won the game. I said
it many times last season but once again our hero was Dimitri Payet and he
truly is an inspirational player. We all saw the level of football he
produced during the summer at the European Championship Finals and it is
fantastic to have him back in action and re-producing his best form once
again. You could sense the excitement around the crowd when the free-kick
was awarded just outside the area and I know the Accrington manager has said
it is like giving away a penalty. That goes to show the threat that Dimitri
poses to any team and we are very fortunate to have him. I was also thrilled
to see Manuel Lanzini back on the pitch at London Stadium and he also showed
the quality he can bring to the side. We have been unlucky with injuries at
the start of the season but thankfully we are starting to get back our
influential players and hopefully we will start to see an improvement in
results over the coming weeks.
I want to thank the fans who turned out in their thousands once again and
helped us record the biggest League Cup attendance since the fourth round
replay against Liverpool back in October 1971 - that shows the amazing
support we have at this football club. This is an important period as we
prepare for consecutive home games against Southampton and Middlesbrough and
there is no reason to suggest that we cannot head in to the international
break with six more points on the board. We had a positive result over
Southampton at home last season which ended a run of eight games without a
win and it would be fantastic if we could have a similar result and
kickstart our season once again.
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Angelo's World
WHUFC.com
In the second part of our brand new feature on whufc.com, we start a regular
column with Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna where we go behind-the-scenes
with our Italian central defender.
Ogbonna will share his views on life both inside and outside the camp and
will give his honest opinions on all the matters that count.
In the second blog, the 28-year-old gives an insight into his life away from
football and why he spent the day in central London with Manchester United
defender Matteo Darmian.....
Hello everyone,
You may have seen pictures of me out with Manchester United defender Matteo
Darmian in central London last week.
I am good friends with Matteo and I have a very good relationship with my
team-mates in the national team and back in Italy. We are a family as well.
I met up with Matteo last weekend and showed him the sights of London.
We went to Oxford Street and did some shopping. I think he enjoyed going to
all the big stores and London has so much to offer.
I enjoy showing people around this great city and I have still yet to see a
lot of things that it has to offer. I hope to see a lot more.
I also spend a lot of time with Pedro, Zaza, Adrian, Lanzini, Payet and we
socialise with our girlfriends which is very good.
I like to go to the markets and you can find a lot of secrets and good
prices at places like Notting Hill and Camden Town. My girlfriend always
like a good bargain!
London is amazing and I love being here. I like all the different cultures
and the history around the city and it is very important.
It was fantastic for me to live in Rome as well, and although London can be
chaotic I think it is an unbelievable place.
I also love going to the museums and you can enjoy the different backgrounds
and see so many different things in one day.
Sometimes I get spotted out in London but I have no problems with that and
enjoy meeting the fans whenever I can.
I will be fully focused for the game on Sunday and we know the importance of
getting back to winning ways in the Premier League when we play Southampton.
It is so important for us and everyone at the Club. We are preparing
everything the right way and we need to keep our concentration and not make
the same kind of mistakes.
If we can do that then we will hopefully manage to come away with the three
points.
We will all be hoping to see another great performance from Dimitri Payet
and he showed once again during the Accrington game that he is on a
different level. But the key is Manuel Lanzini.
He can keep the ball. Dimitri needs someone like Lanzini because he doesn't
like to throw away the ball.
He runs with the ball, he fights. He looks small but he's not. He's so
tough. Both of them, they keep a good balance for us and they play very well
together.
Maybe this year we were a little bit relaxed - and it is more competitive
this season. Maybe when we are too confident you think it is going to be too
easy.
Sometimes we didn't play like us. We played so sloppy, two or three
mistakes. After this I hope there are no more mistakes. Maybe everything is
going to be all right now.
Enjoy the game on Sunday.
Angelo
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Southampton betting preview with Betway
WHUFC.com
It was another Dimiti Payet goal to remember in midweek, as the Frenchman
curled in a wonderful free kick to see off plucky Accrington - but
attentions quickly return to the Premier League and this weekend's hugely
important clash with Southampton.
Just two points separate the sides in the table - and a West Ham United win
would make it back-to-back victories for boss Slaven Bilić's men in all
competitions, something they're yet to achieve this season.
The Hammers boast a good recent home record against the Saints, winning
three of the last five on home soil, and are 9/5 to keep that run going and
secure a much needed three points.
Southampton arrive at London Stadium buoyed by their first league win of the
season. As such, they're marginal favourites at 8/5. A draw is offered at
11/5.
The Saints have a mixed record in the capital though, having only won once
in their last five visits. Their last trip to the East End resulted in a 2-1
win for West Ham, as Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll inspired the Irons to
victory.
A repeat of that same scoreline is 17/2 on Betway's 'Correct Score' market,
with Antonio 9/4 to add to his impressive goal tally this season at anytime
in the game.
Intriguingly, the last four games between West Ham and Southampton in London
have seen both teams find the net on each occasion, with over 2.5 goals
scored every time.
A Hammers win and both teams to score on Sunday is priced at 17/4, with the
popular 'Over 2.5' goals market at 10/11 for this one.
Speaking after the midweek EFL Cup win over Accrington Stanley, Bilić
pointed to the importance of keeping a clean sheet. While Southampton will
provide a sterner task for the Irons' backline, you can get a West Ham win
and clean sheet at 18/5.
The Hammers boss was also effusive with praise for Hammer of the Year Payet,
once again highlighting his quality from dead ball situations. The Frenchman
is priced at 7/1 to be first goalscorer on Sunday, while you can also get
Payet to score at anytime in a West Ham to win at 5/1.
There are over 100 markets on Sunday's Premier League clash with Southampton
on the Betway site. Take a look at the latest prices today.
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West Ham United v Southampton
SUN, 25 SEPT 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
16:00
Venue: London Stadium
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have lost three consecutive league games under manager Slaven Bilic
for the first time.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham are without a recognised left-back after Arthur Masuaku joined
Aaron Cresswell on the sidelines with a knee injury. Central defender
Winston Reid will return, but Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho
remain out.
Southampton boss Claude Puel is expected to hand a start to Charlie Austin,
who has scored four goals in his last three matches. Fellow striker Jay
Rodriguez is out with a groin problem.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Guy Mowbray: "The form guide says Southampton to win, with three victories
in a row suggesting they're on the right track after an initially sluggish
start under Claude Puel. "Charlie Austin has scored in all those wins, and
he'll relish the chance to net again against the club that publicly
questioned his fitness last year after deciding against signing him. "West
Ham's problem lies at the other end of the field, and ;the problem is big'
says Slaven Bilic. "We might then reasonably expect a cautious approach from
his side, with defensive discipline paramount. "Talking of which, here's a
quirky fact: referee Jonathan Moss has sent someone off in each of the last
six Hammers games he has officiated!"
Twitter: @Guymowbray
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Injury-wise we look much better than at the
beginning of the season. We have a good team and I expect us to be really
good in every way on Sunday afternoon. "I want the fans to be behind us, and
they will be. "We need them all the time, but especially now to help get out
of this situation. I have no doubt they will be very positive."
Southampton manager Claude Puel: "We can see the good work on the training
sessions and in every game, we are strong in defence and also with good
possibilities on the counter-attack, playing good football, even with
different players out on the pitch. "All of the squad can take confidence
from this, to show that it is possible to play these many games every three
days, which is what we challenged the squad to do at the start (of the
season).
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Southampton have the lowest shot conversion rate in the Premier League, just
6.45%. Shane Long is probably most to blame for that, but Charlie Austin is
a finisher and, as he showed last weekend against Swansea, if he is picked
and gets a chance, he will take it. West Ham have been struggling at the
back but they have been working hard to improve defensively, and it will
come.
Prediction: 2-1
Lawro's full predictions v darts player Michael van Gerwen
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham have only failed to score in one of their 14 home Premier League
meetings with Southampton: a 1-0 defeat in December 2002.
The team scoring first has gone on to lose this fixture at West Ham in each
of the last three seasons, with the Hammers coming from behind twice.
West Ham United
West Ham have conceded four goals in consecutive Premier League games for
the first time since March 2008, when they conceded four goals in three
straight games (0-4 v Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham).
The Hammers have conceded at least two goals in 12 of their last 15 league
matches, letting in 33 goals overall.
They have lost five of their last six league matches.
West Ham have scored in each of their last 13 home league games, netting at
least twice on nine occasions.
Michail Antonio has scored 10 headed Premier League goals in 2016 - twice as
many as any other player.
Southampton
Southampton kept their first Premier League clean sheet in 17 matches,
dating back to February, against Swansea last weekend.
The Saints have scored just four goals in their five league games this
season and are yet to score more than once in a match.
They have conceded three penalties so far this season.
Charlie Austin has scored four times in his last three games in all
competitions after a run of nine games without a goal.
Claude Puel is only the seventh French manager to win a Premier League game.
The others are Alain Perrin, Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier, Jacques
Santini, Jean Tigana and Remi Garde.
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 26%
Probability of home win: 47% Probability of away win: 27%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football
matches.
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We need a win, says Slaven
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 23rd September 2016
By: Staff Writer
Although the season is just five games old, Slaven Bilic believes this
weekend's clash with Southampton is a 'must win' affair.
West Ham's slow start to the Premier League campaign - which has resulted in
just one win, that coming against Bournemouth - has left the Hammers in the
bottom three.
However Bilic believes that his side are ready to give a better account of
themselves this weekend when they face a Saints side which has also managed
just one win from their opening five games.
"We need it," said Bilic when asked about the importance of three points
during his pre-match press conference. "I said after the West Brom game that
we had three massive games until the international break, starting in the
cup, and then two big league games.
"It is a good opportunity for us because we are playing at home against a
good team and we can get out of the situation we are in. It would mean a lot
to get three points; it would boost the confidence and bring back the belief
at a very important stage of the season.
"Although it is still very early, we need the points."
Bilic stated earlier in the week that the team faced three big games ahead
of the forthcoming international break - against Accrington Stanley,
Southampton this weekend and then Middlesbrough at home next weekend.
And despite having to wait until the 96th minute of Wednesday's EFL Cup
clash for a winnning goal, Bilic believes his squad are back on the right
track.
"We had three big games; we have won one and kept a clean sheet," he said.
"That is very important after conceding eight goals in [the previous] two
games. We have ticked the box in one game and now have another massive game
on Sunday.
"We are playing at home again against a team who are playing well at the
moment. They did not start points wise the best but they got a win in Europe
last week which gave them confidence and played well last weekend.
"It will be very hard, of course."
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Danny Higginbotham explains what's gone wrong with West Ham this season
Last Updated: 23/09/16 4:46pm
SSN
Danny Higginbotham looks at West Ham's slow start to the season ahead of
this weekend's game with Southampton. Ahead of West Ham's clash with
Southampton on Super Sunday, Danny Higginbotham breaks down why West Ham
have struggled to hit the heights of last season. The Hammers, who finished
seventh in the Premier League last term, have taken just three points from
five games this season and suffered a 4-2 defeat at West Brom last Saturday.
Manager Slaven Bilic said he was "very embarrassed" by his side's
performance as West Brom raced into a 4-0 lead before the Hammers clawed
back two goals in the second half.
Higginbotham - a former full-back - believes the answer to West Ham's
troubles lies out wide, where Aaron Cresswell has been missing with a
long-term knee injury, "People have been using the new stadium as an excuse,
but I think there is more to it than that," Higginbotham said. "A player
that hasn't been mentioned too much but who is a huge miss is Cresswell at
left-back. Last season we saw the West Ham full-backs providing fantastic
width. When the two wide men drove forward, what you would find is that the
likes of Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet would have more time and space to
work in between the lines. "Whereas this season the play has been a lot
slower as they haven't got that pace in key areas - that has resulted in
Payet and Lanzini struggling to get time on the ball in order to dictate
play."
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Claude Puel: Southampton can't focus too much on Dimitri Payet
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 23/09/16 4:11pm
SSN
Claude Puel says Southampton cannot afford to focus too much on keeping West
Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet quiet this weekend. France international Payet
scored a 25-yard free-kick in injury time to see off the challenge of
Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night. Accrington manager
John Coleman felt Payet's set-piece ability makes him just as dangerous from
a dead ball around the box as he would be from the penalty spot, while
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic says the Frenchman reminds him of the way former
England captain and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham would net
such crucial goals.
Puel, though, believes concentrating on delivering their own performance
will be key if Southampton are to record what would be a fourth consecutive
win in all competitions. "It (a free-kick from Payet) would be a good
opportunity for them, and of course defending is important, but we must also
concentrate on all the many good things we do on the pitch," the Southampton
manager said. "He (Payet) is a very good player on the free-kicks, but our
players also have many qualities and it will be difficult for West Ham to
defend these players. "It is important to keep in our minds all of the good
things we can make on the pitch and not just to stay in close (attention)
with the opponent, (but) to give a good answer against all of the (West Ham)
team, with a good concentration."
Southampton secured their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a
2-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. A first Premier League
win under Puel's reign came against Swansea last Sunday and followed the
defeat of Sparta Prague in their opening Europa League tie. Puel, though,
accepts his squad now face a real test of their aspirations this season.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic hopes he'll have Dimitri Payet available this
weekend. "We can see the good work on the training sessions and in every
game, we are strong in defence and also with good possibilities on the
counter-attack, playing good football, even with different players out on
the pitch," he said. "All of the squad can take confidence from this, to
show that it is possible to play these many games every three days, which is
what we challenged the squad to do at the start (of the season). "All is
positive, but now it is important to continue the work, to see if we have
the ability to travel, when we have three games away."
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