West Ham have asked Southampton to reverse the two fixtures between the sides next year after the full fixture list for the 2017/18 season was announced by the FA yesterday.
The Hammers were set to take on The Saints at home on August 19th in their second game of the season, but due to the World Athletics Championships taking place at the London Stadium between August 4th-13th, the venue won’t be ready for the Premier League clash.
While it was believed that the fixture would be re-orgnanised by the FA, The Mirror is reporting that the club have asked Southampton to instead reverse their two fixtures during the campaign, and now play at St. Mary’s on August 19th and at the London Stadium at the end of March.
Should Southampton agree to the proposal, West Ham will play all three of their opening fixtures next season away from home at Manchester United, Southampton and lastly Newcastle at the end of August. They will not play at home until September 9th, when they welcome Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town to the London Stadium.
An official statement on the West Ham website said: “Our opening fixtures in August will be played away from home as London Stadium welcomes the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships for a once-in-a-generation occasion.
“Supporters are therefore advised that our second fixture of the campaign, against Southampton, will be rescheduled, with further details to follow.”
