Ivan Juric will take to the pitch for the first time as Southampton manager on Boxing Day as they host West Ham United in the Premier League.
The 49-year-old, who was sacked as Roma manager earlier this term, has succeeded Russell Martin in the squad and faces the unenviable task of saving Saints from relegation. They already find themselves eight points behind Leicester City in 17th place and will need a significant jump in new manager to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
Julen Lopetegui is still clinging to his job as West Ham The manager after a challenging first half of the season in the capital, but the Iron are now unbeaten in three games and eight points clear of the relegation zone. A decisive win over Wolverhampton Wanderers was followed by respectable draws with Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Here it is 90 minutes guide to Juric's Southampton debut.
Southampton vs West Ham H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Southampton |
West Ham |
|---|---|
|
Fulham 0-0 Southampton – 22/12/24 |
West Ham 1-1 Brighton – 21/12/24 |
|
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool – 18/12/24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16/12/24 |
|
Southampton 0-5 Tottenham – 15/12/24 |
West Ham 2-1 Wolves – 09/12/24 |
|
Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton – 07/12/24 |
Leicester 3-1 West Ham – 03/12/24 |
|
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea – 04/12/24 |
West Ham 2-5 Arsenal – 30/11/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Amazon Prime |
|
United States |
peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 6 Canada |
Juric will be without several first-teamers for his first game in charge, with long-term absentees Gavin Bazunu, Juan Larios and Ross Stewart still unavailable for Saints. On-loan Maxwel Cornet is also ineligible to face his parent club but has been used sparingly this season.
Will Smallbone is almost certain to miss the Boxing Day game with a thigh injury that has ruled him out since October. However, he is close to a comeback.
Southampton welcomed Aaron Ramsdale back into the starting line-up at the weekend after six weeks on the sidelines. The goalkeeper helped his side keep a clean sheet in the draw with Fulham on the road.
Southampton predicted formation against West Ham (5-2-1-2): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters; Downes, Aribo; Fernandes; Dibling, Archer.
Michail Antonio could be out for at least a year after suffering a broken leg following a car crash, with Lopetegui relying on Niclas Fullkrug and Danny Ings in the Jamaican international's absence.
Lucas Paqueta will miss Thursday's trip to the south coast through suspension. The Brazilian playmaker received his fifth yellow card Premier League season long Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Last weekend's goalscorer Mohammed Kudus is likely to move into the center given Paqueta's absence, with Crysencio Summerville filling in on the left wing.
West Ham predicted formation against Southampton (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek; Bowen, Kudus, Summerville; Full circle.
The first thing Juric will want to achieve at St Mary's is to make significant improvements in defence. Saints have conceded 36 times in 17 league games, a record higher than Leicester City and Wolves.
Scoring has also been a serious issue for Thursday's hosts. They have scored a league-low 11 this season, leaving gaps in their last three Premier League outings. Fortunately for them, West Ham's defensive record leaves a lot to be desired.
West Ham will be marginal favorites against Southampton and will have a strong chance of extending their unbeaten run to four games. However, the influence of a new voice at St Mary's could make life more challenging for the Irons, who have won just five games all season in the league.