Southampton seeking top four stay with victory over Hammers

Southampton will be aiming to move further ahead of their top four rivals, and add to their advantage in third place, with a triumph over West Ham United at St Mary’s.

Ronald Koeman’s Saints, 15/8 with Coral for a top four finish, host the high-flying Hammers who are also pushing for a spot among Europe’s elite next season.

Both teams have been surprise packages in the Premier League this term, with Koeman’s sensational side unexpectedly climbing to third, and Sam Allardyce’s East London outfit having spent most of the current campaign alongside the top-flight’s big guns.

Earlier in the season, it was Southampton who emerged victorious in the reverse fixture, overturning an early Mark Noble strike to claim an impressive 3-1 win on their travels.

Midfield maestro Morgan Schneiderlin netted a delightful double to regain the lead, before in-form Italian Graziano Pelle sealed all three points in the closing stages at Upton Park.

The superb Saints star Schneiderlin is 6/1 to strike again anytime, while the club’s clinical top scorer Pelle is 6/5 to add to his 13 goals this season anytime.

West Ham currently sit in eighth position, but face a tough task of toppling their opponents who have won six of their previous eight league fixtures, including three recent triumphs to nil. The super Saints are available at 9/5 to win to nil yet again.

The Hammers have not tasted victory in an away meeting at Southampton since November 2000, when Stuart Pearce and Frederic Kanoute both scored in a thrilling 3-2 result.

Dutch boss Koeman has some worrying absences ahead of West Ham’s visit, with his two senior left-backs both missing, as Ryan Bertrand is still suspended and Matt Targett picked up a head injury against QPR.