West Ham v Southampton Betting Tips [26 December 2021]

West Ham United are fifth in the Premier League but need a good festive period. They host Southampton on Boxing Day with the visitors down in 15th place. The Hammers are four points behind fourth placed Arsenal and have a game in hand. However, current form is not good with just one win in their last six league games. Midweek saw them lose to Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter finals, making it three losses and a draw in their last four games in all competitions. West Ham take on Watford, Crystal Palace and Leeds in the three Premier League matches that follow this game with Southampton. That's a fairly friendly fixture list and one they have to take advantage of. West Ham have won three of their last four home league games, including wins over Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea. That kind of form has to be rediscovered in the coming weeks. They were without Michail Antonio in midweek but there's a chance he may play in this game.

Southampton could also do with some good results in the coming games. They are six points above the relegation zone but Burnley (currently 18th) have two games in hand. The Saints are playing their third away league game in a row. They lost 3-0 at Arsenal but then drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace in a game in which they both led and trailed. That draw made it just three points from their past six league fixtures. They had lost three successive away Premier League matches before that draw at Palace. Back West Ham to get a welcome win.