Southampton will be hoping to continue their excellent winning streak this Sunday as they travel to a West Ham side that is very much there for the taking.
The Saints have won their last three games and have kept a clean sheet in all of them, so they will be heading into the game with a lot of confidence and belief that they can make it four on the bounce.
However, West Ham are somewhat struggling in the Premier League in the early stages of the season. Off the back of a 4-2 defeat at home to Watford and another 4-2 defeat away to West Brom respectively, things aren’t looking to bright at the London Stadium.
Saints still sit considerably low in the league table and will be looking to carry on their form into the domestic competition to maintain their progression and development.
So, here are five things to look out for when Saints take on The Hammers.
Shane Long to perform
It’s been a strange season so far for Long. He’s done absolutely everything but score and it’s not been good enough on that front.
He’s had numerous chances to score and earn Saints a few points but he’s failed to capitalise on these opportunities, so maybe West Ham will be his first victim of the season in that respect.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to start
Hojbjerg has been rested for the last two games, so it’s highly likely that he’ll come into the starting line-up against West Ham.
The Hammers are looking quite open in midfield, so the young Danish international could be looking to exploit them.
A left-sided frailty for West Ham
Both Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku are ruled out of Sunday’s game, meaning that West Ham will be without a senior, recognised left-back.
It’s looking as though it’ll either be Sam Byram or Alvaro Arbeloa filling in on the left side of defence; an uncomfortable role for both players and something that Saints should look to exploit.
Charlie Austin to be up for it
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan claimed that the reason he didn’t sign Charlie Austin was because “he has no ligaments in his knee”, the Daily Mail once reported.
I’m sure Austin will do all the talking he needs to on the pitch.
Saints to struggle with Dimitri Payet
No-one needs telling that Payet is by far and away West Ham’s main man and potentially their only hope heading into the game.
It’ll be tricky to keep him quiet given his freedom in the team to roam from left to right and cause problems but, as long as no free-kicks are given away in dangerous areas, Saints’ midfield is strong enough to nullify Payet’s threat.