West Ham return from a three-week break this weekend with a testing fixture against Southampton, a side they currently sit just a single point and a single place above in the Premier League standings.
The Hammers entered the international break on a run of three consecutive defeats, sucking David Moyes’ side back into the relegation battle and giving the club a stern task ahead of them for the final eight fixtures.
With West Ham still having to face Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of the season, the importance of the clash against fellow strugglers Southampton has increased significantly- but one pundit has predicted the Hammers’ woes to continue.
Writing in his predictions for BetVictor, former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen backed the Saints to extend West Ham’s losing run to four- a defeat that would put the Hammers inside the relegation zone.
“This is a massive game near the foot of the Premier League table and Mark Hughes will have been delighted by the Saints win at Wigan in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.”
“It is well-documented that West Ham have their problems on and off the pitch having lost their last three league games by a three-goal margin. It looks sure to be a tight, tense affair and if there is to be a winner, I feel the Saints might take the points.”
