West Ham broke a streak of four successive defeats in all competitions with a 1-0 injury-time win over Accrington Stanley in the week.
They’ll hope they can carry that momentum into the league when they welcome Southampton to the London Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The Hammers sit 18th in the table as we speak, but results on Saturday could see Slaven Bilic’s men plummet further.
Here’s how we think Southampton will line-up tomorrow, courtesy of our pals over at Read Southampton.
As for the squad Bilic has to choose from tomorrow, it took another blow in midweek after Arthur Masuaku was stretchered off with a knee ligament injury late on against Accrington Stanley.
It’s not as severe as the one Aaron Cresswell suffered in pre-season, but the club state it’s a six-week stint on the sidelines for the impressive Frenchman, likely ruling him out until November.
Speaking of Cresswell, he is progressing well and is working with the U23 side. Both he and Andy Carroll are expected to resume full first-team activities after the October international break – around three weeks from now.
Winston Reid has been in training the last few days but it’s unknown whether Bilic will throw him straight back into the team after missing the last two outings.
Club-record signing Andre Ayew is progressing well after suffering a thigh tear on debut against Chelsea, he’s on course to return to action in November.
Diafra Sakho is still out of contention. The club are working hard on building up his fitness levels ahead of a return to first-team training next month.
Edimilson Fernandes and Alvaro Arbeloa both made their West Ham debuts in midweek. Bilic was full of praise for the pair after their performances and both are in line to feature regularly in the league.
With that in mind, here’s a final look at our predicted starting XI and bench for the Hammers tomorrow.
GK: Adrian
Darren Randolph performed well in midweek but Adrian is Bilic’s go-to man between the sticks in the Premier League.
RB: Alvaro Arbeloa
Arbeloa played the full 90 mins against Accrington Stanley and will be thrust into action again Sunday afternoon.
CB: James Collins
With Winston Reid nearing a return to the first-team, it’s likely that Bilic will give Collins the start this weekend, but the centre-back pairing might change going forward if things don’t turnaround.
CB: Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna was West Ham’s best defender last season and we need him to return to top form and lead the defence like we know he can.
LB: Sam Byram
West Ham were dealt another crushing injury blow in midweek as Arthur Masuaku was stretchered off and has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.
With Aaron Cresswell not fit to return just yet, Sam Byram will deputise at left-back like he did earlier in the season.
CM: Mark Noble
Given the night off in midweek, Noble has not been playing well so far this season and needs to up his game or risk being given the hook.
CM: Cheikhou Kouyate
The same can be said about Cheikhou Kouyate. After the impressive displays from Edimilson Fernandes and Pedro Obiang in midweek, Kouyate and Noble should be looking over their shoulders.
RW: Michail Antonio
One of few bright spots for the Hammers this season, Antonio will look to make it five successive games with a goal against the side he scored his first goal for the club against back in December.
CAM: Manuel Lanzini
Lanzini is getting better by the week and hopefully he is nearing somewhere near his best form because we are a markedly better outfit with him playing at the best of his ability.
LW: Dimitri Payet
His 96th-minute free kick spared the blushes for Slaven Bilic and Co. in midweek. Payet’s still as good as he ever was and we need the top creator in the Premier League to carve out opportunities.
ST: Simone Zaza
There was always going to be an adjustment period and I believe Zaza is still finding his feet.
He’s getting involved in the build-up play well and, if not for a couple of brilliant saves from the Stanley ‘keeper, he would’ve had his maiden Hammers goal.
Keep working hard and the chances will come for him.
SUB: Darren Randolph
Randolph always impresses when given a chance and, if Adrian keeps shipping goals, then a case can be made for Randolph playing in the Premier League.
SUB: Reece Oxford
In a defence that can’t keep a clean sheet, perhaps it’s time we give Reece Oxford an extended look in the first-team?
SUB: Havard Nordtveit
Hasn’t been good enough to nail down a place in the first-team and is now the team’s new ‘Mr. Versatile’.
SUB: Pedro Obiang
A decent display in midweek, Obiang is another who could be handed a Premier League start if those ahead of him continue to under-perform.
SUB: Sofiane Feghouli
Hauled off at half-time in midweek after a poor first-half, Feghouli will now have to make his impact from the bench due to the strong form of Michail Antonio.
SUB: Gokhan Tore
The same can be said about Gokhan Tore who was also brought off at the interval. He really hasn’t impressed at all.
SUB: Jonathan Calleri
Another player who hasn’t impressed is Calleri. He gets himself in the positions to score but just can’t/ Soon enough he’ll bag one.