Former England international Michael Owen expects fireworks at St Mary’s Stadium as he delivered his prediction for West Ham United’s trip to Southampton on Thursday.
The Saints come into the game in euphoric mood after a recent turnaround, while the Hammers were brought back down to earth by Watford on Saturday. Owen is predicting an exciting encounter.
“Six goals and six points for Southampton in their last two games under Ralph Hasenhuttl, but they may have to settle for a point in Thursday’s sole Premier League fixture,” he wrote on the Bet Victor website.
“The Hammers missed a host of opportunities against Watford, but I expect them to play their part in another entertaining clash with opportunities at both ends.”
OPINION
A score draw does seem like the sensible pick, here. West Ham have shown an ability to score all season long, but they haven’t been as good at keeping them out. That’s bad news when the Saints are scoring goals for fun under new boss Hasenhuttl. Six goals in two games against Arsenal and a normally-stubborn Huddersfield side is exceptional, and came from nowhere in regards to how Southampton had been playing prior to those games. Hasenhuttl’s team are coming into this game in fantastic form, but they still have problems at the back. If the Hammers have anything they have talented attacking players and so Manuel Pellegrini can expect his team to bag a goal or two on the South Coast. Whatever happens this should be an entertaining affair and Owen’s prediction of a high scoring draw sounds about right. Let’s see if that proves correct, but both teams will certainly be feeling confident of tasting victory.
