On 31st March, West Ham will entertain Southampton at the London Stadium in what the media lover to term a ‘relegation six-pointer’. However, the hyperbole is probably justified this time because both clubs are in dire need of a win. At the moment Southampton occupy 18th spot, two points and one place below West Ham in 17th.
Both teams last Premier League games acted as warning signals for the relegation run-in. As West Ham players were fighting off pitch invaders in a disheartening 3-0 loss to Burnley, Southampton were going down to the same scoreline at Newcastle. After those games, the threat of relegation seemed to become very real.
Relegation odds ‘generous’ for Saints and Hammers
Remarkably, both clubs can be backed at odds-against to go down. The current relegation odds are: West Brom 1/100, Stoke 4/11, Huddersfield 11/8, Southampton 15/8, West Ham 5/2, Swansea 9/2 and Crystal Palace 13/2.
While some fans might raise an eyebrow at Crystal Palace’s price of 13/2, as they are on the same points as the Hammers with one game more paid, it should be noted that they have only one of the Big 6 to play in their run-in. By contrast, West Ham must play Chelsea, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs in their final eight games.
Back to the match against Southampton, and it really does look like a must win game for both sides. Palace play Bournemouth and Swansea play West Brom on the same weekend, so you could see at least one of their rivals pulling away from trouble.
Saints favoured by bookmakers after London Stadium trouble
For the match itself, the bookmakers have slashed the odds on Southampton and raised them on West Ham. Most of that has to be down to the ugly scenes at the London Stadium a couple of weeks ago. Some of the players looked visibly shaken after that, with bookies obviously thinking that the atmosphere will not offer ‘home advantage’.
West Ham are best-priced 2/1 to win, with Southampton going in at 8/5 and the draw at 11/5. You would expect those prices to be offered at St Mary’s rather than at the London Stadium. Still, you can check out the latest free bets from major bookmakers as this is going to be a tough one to call.
Draw may not be enough to set up for brutal fixture list
While the draw will not be seen as a good result for the majority of West Ham fans, you can really see it happening. The match is bound to be a cagey affair, with both sides being chastened in the last couple of months. You could certainly see Moyes’ pragmatic side coming out.
Three points is required though and, ironically, the level of performance needs to match the first half against Burnley, with the exception of some of the finishing. After that it is Chelsea on the 8th of April and another toughie against Stoke on the 16th. We will need the points against Southampton, because what comes after is very daunting.
The fervent hope is that the fans lift the players rather than expend their energy protesting the board. They will need the fans behind them more than ever on Saturday.