West Ham will today qualify for Europa League football as long as they avoid defeat against Southampton on the final day of the Premier League season.
It has been a whirlwind year for the Hammers: last season they were battling relegation, but David Moyes has revitalised the club from top to bottom.
While West Ham narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification after running out of steam during the run-in, a Europa League spot would still represent an excellent campaign for the club.
On Wednesday night, results swung in West Ham’s favour: a 3-1 win at West Brom, coupled with Tottenham’s 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa, leaves the Hammers sixth, and three points clear of Spurs.
That means a positive result against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints will secure a top-six finish and continental football next term - and the return of West Ham fans to London Stadium should boost their prospects.
Date, kick-off time and venue
West Ham vs Southampton is scheduled for a 4pm BST kick-off on Sunday, May 23, 2021.
Thousands of West Ham fans will be back at London Stadium following the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England.
Where to watch West Ham vs Southampton
TV channel: The match will be televised on Sky One.
Live stream: Sky subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the website or Sky Go app.
West Ham vs Southampton team news
West Ham face a nervous wait to discover the extent of the knee injury that saw Lukasz Fabiankski limp out of the warm-up before the win at West Brom. Should he miss out, Darren Randolph will surely start again.
Arthur Masuaku and Manuel Lanzini are also doubts, but could push through to at least be bench options.
Ryan Bertrand and William Smallbone are out for Southampton, with Che Adams and Oriol Romeu facing an outside chance of returning.
West Ham vs Southampton lineups
West Ham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Randolph; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Benrahma, Lingard, Fornals; Antonio
Southampton predicted XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Stephens; Walcott, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Redmond; Ings, Tella
West Ham vs Southampton prediction
With Europa League football in their sights, West Ham should be focused enough to get over the finish line.
Southampton have had a strange season with big highs and deep lows, but may well be on the beach here.
West Ham 3-1 Southampton
Head to head (h2h) history and results
- West Ham wins: 18
- Southampton wins: 11
- Draws: 8
- Last meeting: Southampton 0-0 West Ham (29/12/2020)
Betting odds and tips
- West Ham win: 7/10
- Draw: 29/10
- Southampton win: 18/5
- Both teams to score: 6/10
