For those unfamiliar with tomorrow’s opponents, the Saints come to London Stadium with very real title aspirations, having missed out themselves on automatic promotion despite outscoring Ipswich town last season, the side which took second spot. 82 goals a year ago was no mean feat.
The problem was what happened down the other end of the pitch as Southampton gave away far too many goals, condemning themselves to the play-offs before spy-gate ended their Wembley dream.
But West Ham do need to be alert to the very real goal threat they represent: Last season’s new signing Cyle Larin needs careful marshalling by West Ham’s defence for very good reason, as analyticsunited pointed out in their deep dive on West Ham’s next opponents:
“Up front, Cyle Larin has been a revelation leading the line for Southampton with 15 goals in 27 league games since arriving on the south coast halfway through last season. The Canadian forward is a physical presence who causes defenders issues regardless of whether he is found in the air, to feet, or into space in behind.
One to watch tomorrow – Cyle Larin
Despite having netted two fewer than current top scorer Will Lankshear (nine), Larin is the league leader for NPxG (0.85 per 90) and ranks only behind QPR’s Alfie Lloyd for touches inside the opposition box (5.71), demonstrating how effective his movement is to create routes into the box for his teammates.”
With West Ham currently the highest scorers ever at this stage of the season plus Southampton’s prodigious scoring last year, it would seem highly unlikely that tomorrows London Stadium encounter will be devoid of goals.
Neither side possesses a rock solid defence although if anything, Southampton’s sale of Harwood Bellis and replacement with the £3 million Keven Schlotterbeck has significantly improved their defensive numbers.
History suggests something of a goal-fest as two of the most successful attacks in the division go head to head tomorrow. 4-4 anyone?