Boxing Day marks the start of a new era for Premier League basement club Southampton, as Ivan Juric takes charge of his first match as the Saints’ manager when they host West Ham United at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Juric, the former Torino and Hellas Verona boss, will be looking to inspire an immediate turnaround in fortunes for the struggling 20th-placed side, who have managed just 6 points from their opening 17 games.
The Croatian inherits a confidence-zapped Southampton squad, who are 8 points adrift of safety heading into the halfway point of the season.
However, Juric will be able to call upon the return of experienced defender Jack Stephens from suspension, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is also available after impressing in the 0-0 draw with Fulham.
Juric is expected to deploy his favored 3-4-1-2 system, with Cameron Archer, Adam Armstrong and summer signing Paul Onuachu vying for the two striker roles. Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart and Will Smallbone remain sidelined through injury.
For the visitors, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui must make do without the suspended Lucas Paqueta, but Carlos Soler is available to slot into the number 10 position.
Michail Antonio continues his recovery from a car accident, while Dinos Mavropanos and one other unnamed player face late fitness tests.
Predicted Southampton starting XI: (3-4-1-2)
Ramsdale;
Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek;
Sugawara, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters;
Fernandes;
Armstrong, Onuachu
Predicted West Ham United starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Fabianski;
Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson;
Alvarez, Soucek;
Bowen, Soler, Kudus;
Fullkrug
The match represents an opportunity for both sides to build momentum heading into the second half of the campaign, with West Ham currently 14th and eight points clear of the relegation zone. However, the Hammers’ recent struggles on the road against bottom-half opponents may give Southampton hope of claiming a valuable point under their new manager.
