West Ham remain confident they will have close to a sell out crowd inside the stadium for the match against Southampton on Boxing Day.

Despite some problems outlined in a previous story from CandH club officials are confident  the fans will be turning out in force for what will become our first Boxing Day home clash in front of them.

Despite there being no trains running and fans required to fill out covid status forms and possible long queues entering the stadium as a possible result, hopes remain high for a top attendance.

A Hammers source explained that Saints are only bringing 1500 rather than the usual 3,000 to a game in which their team has a particularly poor record over recent seasons and said: “We fully expect our supporters to turn out in force despite the situation nationally. A near capacity crowd ius expected.

The drew at home earlier in the season and last term whilst being beaten 3-0 at the London Stadium in 20/21.

The previous season we won down there 1-0 and beat the south coast side 3-1 at the London Stadium and in 2018/19 we recorded a double 2-1 away and 3-0 at home.