V
SUN, 25 SEPT 2016 PREMIER LEAGUE
4.00pm
Venue: London Stadium
TEAM NEWS
West Ham are without a recognised left-back after Arthur Masuaku joined Aaron Cresswell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Central defender Winston Reid will return, but Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho remain out.
Southampton boss Claude Puel is expected to hand a start to Charlie Austin, who has scored four goals in his last three matches.
Fellow striker Jay Rodriguez is out with a groin problem.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Guy Mowbray: "The form guide says Southampton to win, with three victories in a row suggesting they're on the right track after an initially sluggish start under Claude Puel.
"Charlie Austin has scored in all those wins, and he'll relish the chance to net again against the club that publicly questioned his fitness last year after deciding against signing him.
"West Ham's problem lies at the other end of the field, and the problem is big' says Slaven Bilic.
"We might then reasonably expect a cautious approach from his side, with defensive discipline paramount.
"Talking of which, here's a quirky fact: referee Jonathan Moss has sent someone off in each of the last six Hammers games he has officiated!"
Twitter: @Guymowbray
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "Injury-wise we look much better than at the beginning of the season. We have a good team and I expect us to be really good in every way on Sunday afternoon.
"I want the fans to be behind us, and they will be.
"We need them all the time, but especially now to help get out of this situation. I have no doubt they will be very positive."
Southampton manager Claude Puel: "We can see the good work on the training sessions and in every game, we are strong in defence and also with good possibilities on the counter-attack, playing good football, even with different players out on the pitch.
"All of the squad can take confidence from this, to show that it is possible to play these many games every three days, which is what we challenged the squad to do at the start (of the season).
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Southampton have the lowest shot conversion rate in the Premier League, just 6.45%. Shane Long is probably most to blame for that, but Charlie Austin is a finisher and, as he showed last weekend against Swansea, if he is picked and gets a chance, he will take it.
West Ham have been struggling at the back but they have been working hard to improve defensively, and it will come.
Prediction: 2-1