Well, it has looked like West Ham had hit a turning point in their season to our landlord here at the Transfer Tavern, after great results at Palace and Middlesbrough.
However, they hit a snag when they suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night – they’ll be hoping it was just a blip as they look ahead to Southampton on Saturday
The Saints themselves haven’t been in the best of form and appear to have a hangover from their League Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool – having suffered a 5-0 defeat to Arsenal in FA Cup and most recently a shock 2-1 defeat to relegation threatened Swansea City on Tuesday evening.
It’ll be a big game for new arrival and former Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini as he will look to make his Saints debut.
However even bigger than that, it’ll see former Southampton captain, Jose Fonte, come up against his former teammates in what could be a very emotional night for the now West Ham man.
With that in mind, if Bilic picks this XI, West Ham will surely comfortably beat Southampton…..
GK: DARREN RANDOLPH
The shot stopper has been ever reliable when he has featured for the Hammers this season and it’s likely he will be their number one for the foreseeable future.
LB: AARON CRESSWELL
Although the former Ipswich Town defender has had his critics in recent weeks he is the only real option that Bilic has at left-back, with Masuaku out injured there isn’t really anyone to challenge the one time England international.
CB: JOSE FONTE
Conceding four goals and giving away a penalty on his debut may be one to forget for the former Southampton captain, as he faces his former employers this weekend.
He will be on top form in this one, that’s for sure, we fully expect a big performance from the Portuguese centre-back.
CB: WINSTON REID
Reid has been superb at the back for West Ham.
He’ll potentially be coming up against Saints new boy Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long and he will have his work cut out.
But another solid performance like we’ve seen in recent weeks and he will be just fine.
RB: SAM BYRAM
The former Leeds man was superb leading up to his side’s fixture at Manchester City where it seemed to not quite work out for the 23-year-old man.
He will have his work cut out, as Southampton have some great wingers likes Redmond who could cause him an issue.
CDM: CHEIKHOU KOUYATE
After captaining his national side Senegal to the quarter-finals of the AFCON, before a penalty shoot out defeat when former Southampton man Saido Mane missed the vital penalty.
Much to the delight of our punters here at the Tavern it means he should now be back and ready to feature this weekend.
This may mean that Bilic gives Noble a rest again to mix things up a bit in this one.
CDM: PEDRO OBIANG
One of the stand out stars for West Ham this season, he’s been vital in every game for them proving great interceptions at vital times, as well as being able to pick out important passes to help create chances for his team.
He will remain in the side as long as he’s fit for the rest of the season!
LW: ROBERT SNODGRASS
The new January signing will more than likely get the nod in this fixture ahead of Feghouli who has struggled with form at times this season.
He’s very hit or miss at times, so it’s likely they will bring in the ever reliable and consistent Snodgrass to try and cause the Southampton defenders nightmares.
CAM: MANUEL LANZINI
He’s been great at times for West Ham this season and can produce moments of sheer magic for his team.
The Hammers punters here at the Tavern will be hoping that this game is one of them, as they look to recoup from their drubbing at home to City on Wednesday night.
RW: MICHAIL ANTONIO
The hardest working player on the pitch for his side in recent weeks and even months!
The England international once played for Southampton back with Fonte when they were in League One, and they’ll both want to surely get one up on their former employers and help the Hammers to beat Southampton.
If Antonio is on top form in this one he will cause havoc!
ST: ANDY CARROLL
Back in the team and back in-form!
He wasn’t able to score in the defeat to Man City but he put his all into the game, trying to win the ball back and getting up and down the field to cause the opposition players all kind of problems.
Hopefully he can be a thorn in the side of the Saints defence this weekend.
