This is a Round 2 EFL Cup tie, with a place in the next round up for grabs. CheckLive's model lists no favourite, so this one looks genuinely in the balance — a draw is a very real possibility.
Southampton have won three of their last five, including a 2-0 EFL Cup win over Colchester United, but lost 1-2 at Watford in the Championship. West Ham United drew 2-2 with Burnley and beat Portsmouth 3-1 in the EFL Cup, alongside friendly draws against 1. FC Magdeburg and Rangers.
The recent head-to-head is tight: eight meetings have brought two Southampton wins, three draws and three West Ham United wins, with the most recent a 1-1 draw in the Premier League. With both sides looking for rhythm early in the season, the key is who settles into the tie first without over-committing.
