St Mary’s is the venue as Southampton and West Ham United go head-to-head in Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round showdown.
Both sides recorded victories in the Premier League over the weekend.
While the Saints eased past relegation-battling Norwich City 2-0, West Ham eked out a 1-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers to boost their top-four ambitions.
Southampton vs West Ham, along with several other FA Cup matches, will be available to watch live on TV in the United Kingdom. You can also review these FA Cup live streaming options if you are outside the UK.
Match Preview
Southampton
Southampton will take the field amid a purple patch, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions (W4, D2), including a brace of 2-0 wins over Everton and Norwich City in the build-up to this clash.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have turned St Mary’s into a fortress since a 1-0 defeat to Wolves in September, racking up an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak at this venue since (W6, D5).
The Saints are undefeated in their last seven FA Cup fixtures on home turf (W5, D2) as they look to reach the competition’s quarter-finals twice in a row for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century.
There is plenty of reason for optimism in the Southampton camp, with Hasenhuttl’s side going unbeaten in both Premier League meetings with West Ham this season (W1, D1).
West Ham United
The aforementioned victory over Wolves has extended West Ham’s unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches, although three of them finished level after 90 minutes.
However, the Hammers have failed to win any of their last three away games in domestic competitions inside regulation time (D2, L1), conceding precisely once before half-time twice in that period.
They needed Jarrod Bowen’s extra-time heroics to overcome lower-league outfit Kidderminster Harriers in the previous FA Cup game on the road.
The signs are ominous as the Londoners head into proceedings having won none of their last nine FA Cup away encounters against Premier League rivals (D3 L6).
Team News
Apart from definite absentees, Nathan Tella and Alex McCarthy, Hasenhuttl is waiting on news of Lyanco, who has suffered a hamstring injury.
Despite getting on the scoresheet against Norwich, Che Adams could surrender his place in the starting XI to Adam Armstrong.
The Englishman is still searching for his first competitive goal since scoring a winner against Aston Villa in early November.
Vladimir Coufal’s absence due to injury could force Moyes to make some tactical changes ahead of this trip.
Since his first-choice right-back is unavailable for selection, the English manager could switch to a 3-4-2-1, with Nikola Vlasic’s hopes of making a rare start looking increasingly likely.
Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna are also out of action, leaving Moyes short of options at the back.
Southampton Potential Starting XI:
(4-4-2): Fraser Forster; Kyle Walker-Peters, Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Romain Perraud; Theo Walcott, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Mohamed Elyounoussi; Armando Broja, Adam Armstrong.
West Ham United Potential Starting XI:
(3-4-2-1): Alphonse Areola; Kurt Zouma, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell; Mark Noble, Tomas Soucek, Nikola Vlasic, Said Benrahm; Pablo Fornals, Manuel Lanzini; Michail Antonio.
Prediction
Southampton have failed to win any of their six FA Cup match-ups with West Ham (W3, D3), but their recent run of form suggests this could be their maiden victory.
The Hammers’ defensive frailties have seen them concede in each of their last seven away games in all competitions, and we back the Saints to benefit from the visitors’ topsy-turvy form on the road.
Southampton 2-1 West Ham United.
