Whilst it may not have the immediate appeal of last weekend’s ‘first versus third’ Swansea City v West Ham clash, make no mistake, there is another promotion derby heading to east London tomorrow.
Southampton, docked four points at the start of the season as further ‘spy gate‘ punishment, are gathering momentum and lie just five points behind the Hammers after eleven games – meaning they are eminently capable of overhauling any unwary title contenders as the promotion campaign progresses.
Victory tomorrow would see the Saints close the gap to just two points over Nuno’s side, so this game is every bit as significant as last weekend’s trip to Wales. Conversely, three points for the home side could open up a gap between the first two and the chasing pack.
Former Hammer and West Ham fan Flynn Downes is unlikely to play any part but the Saints will have James Ward-Prowse on a mission and their ‘most crucial‘ squad player back from injury, according to the dailecho.co.uk:
“No Flynn Downes..will present an opportunity for Caspar Jander to make his first start of the campaign following the German’s return from injury…The 23 year old picked up a quad issue during pre-season and subsequently missed three months of action.
Jander, in Flynn Downes’ absence, has the ability to run Southampton’s midfield
Every Saints fan is aware of what Jander is capable of after his outstanding displays last season, particularly in the final months as he developed into one of the squad’s most crucial players.”
Jander, 23, is more than capable of running the Saints’ midfield alongside Ward Prowse and Nuno’s West Ham must avoid expecting their own dominance with Downes absent.
Returning to a double pivot midfield could well prove costly if Nuno reverts to the formation he’s used most at home this season: West Ham will underestimate Saints’ box-to-box German midfielder at their peril.
Watch for the way the two teams line up at the outset -since sides have had considerable success playing through the Hammers at London Stadium this season.
It may well be that Nuno continues last weekend’s tactics into this home clash so a repeat of the ‘Swansea’ starting formation – with extra depth offered by three in midfield – might well be Nuno’s choice to keep his opponents quiet early on, especially knowing that Southampton’s influential German midfielder is ready for a start.
What do you think the result will be