Southampton v West Ham Preview

Southampton finished a respectable 8th last season but it was full of ‘what might have been’. The EFL Cup went begging when they were the better side in the final and their league form was held down by some atrocious conversion metrics.

Southampton converted 23.3% of their shots on target into goals (lowest in the league) and weren’t much better at saving them. Their 62.2% save percentage was the joint lowest in the league.

In short they couldn’t score or save but still finished in the top half. Improved conversion rates are all that is needed to move the needle and they have the personnel. Manolo Gabbiadini made a positive impression after arriving in January, whilst Charlie Austin has returned from injury.

Fraser Foster is still a concern in goal but against Swansea he didn’t have a save to make, so perhaps that is one way to solve the problem! Southampton enjoyed a 25-shot supremacy over Swansea and someone is destined for a thrashing. West Ham look like good candidates, so back Southampton at 2/1 to win with a one-goal deficit on the handicap.