Southampton FC will host West Ham United at St. Mary's Stadium on December 26, 2024, for what promises to be a pivotal Premier League encounter. With the Saints languishing at the bottom of the table and eyeing Hoffenheim's Ivan Juric as their new managerial hope, the stakes couldn't be higher.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM GMT, and for fans unsure of how they can catch the action live, the clash will be available to stream through Amazon Prime Video. Interestingly, viewers across the UK do not need a subscription to watch; they can take advantage of Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy the match as it happens.
Currently, Southampton's situation looks dire. The team is eight points adrift of safety and has struggled significantly this season, recording only six points from 17 matches. This has prompted the club's recent decision to hire Juric, who has previously managed clubs like Torino and Genoa, but was dismissed from his Roma role earlier this term. The Croatian faces the formidable task of revitalizing the squad amid uphill relegation battles.
Juric's first test with Southampton will come against West Ham, who, though not without their challenges this season, currently sit 14th in the league table. The Hammers have recently had their fortunes shift positively, managing three consecutive draws and clinching one victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Julen Lopetegui’s players are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, with their last match resulting in a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
The head-to-head record between the two teams favors West Ham, who have won three of their last five encounters. Southampton's last win over the Hammers came back on December 26, 2021, when they triumphed 3-2 at London Stadium. Since then, West Ham has proven to be more resilient, culminating with their 1-0 win earlier this year.
Regarding player availability, Southampton will be without several key team members, including goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who is sidelined with injuries. Will Smallbone and Ross Stewart will also miss out, giving Juric limited options as he devises tactical changes. Although Jack Stephens returns from suspension to bolster the defense, the injury situation remains concerning.
On West Ham's side, they will also feel the absence of several players, including Michail Antonio, who is out indefinitely due to complications from injuries sustained in a car accident. The Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá will miss the game through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.
Fans can expect each team to aim for three points, particularly Southampton, who need victories to fight their way off the bottom of the table. There’s palpable tension as Juric attempts to inject new life and potentially inspire his players to stave off relegation. The Saints' supporters will be hoping for signs of revival against West Ham, known for their inconsistent performances this season.
The match referee will be Lewis Smith, with VAR officiated by Stuart Attwell. These officials will be pivotal to maintaining proceedings on the pitch as both teams will be under intense pressure to perform at their best.
With aspirations high for both clubs, the Southampton vs. West Ham clash on Boxing Day is set to be not only significant for table positions but also for morale as 2024 draws to a close. Will Juric's regime see immediate dividends, or will the Hammers extend their unbeaten run? Fans eagerly await to find out.
