Away we go! It's the battle of the basement boys, but which of these teams will still be in the bottom three in a couple of hours time?

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

There's a very nervous energy around this stadium. I feel it will only be nervy until there's a goal.

There's a massive outcome to this game, one team might leave with a skip in their step and another feeling down.

No other sides have kept fewer clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Southampton (4) and West Ham (5).

For the Hammers, five clean sheets is their fewest at this stage of a top-flight season since 2018-19 under Manuel Pellegrini (4), while it is the lowest tally by a David Moyes side in their first 26 matches of a Premier League campaign since Sunderland in 2016-17 (4).

The bubbles are blowing, the home fans are singing and the teams are on their way out of the tunnel. We're going to have a game of football on our hands shortly.

Sides starting the day bottom of the Premier League have won 11 league matches this season, four more than the whole of last term (7), and the most in a single campaign in the competition since 2017-18 (12).

Southampton have been responsible for three of these victories by bottom-placed sides in 2022-23, a joint-high (also Leicester).

Before the March international break, only Rodri (243) won possession more times than West Ham’s Declan Rice (232) in the Premier League this season, while, among midfielders, only Rodri again (300) made more progressive carries (moving 5+ metres upfield with the ball) than Rice (222) in the division this term.

Said Benrahma has more Premier League goal involvements than any other West Ham player this season (7 – 4 goals, 3 assists).

The Algerian is looking to score in back-to-back Premier League appearances for the first time since December 2021, when one of those matches was at home to Southampton.

Coming into this weekend’s games, Southampton have picked up the highest share of their Premier League points this season away from home (57% - 13/23).

Meanwhile, only Nottingham Forest (77%) have a higher share of points won at home in 2022-23 than West Ham (75% - 18/24).

Coming into this weekend's games, only Kieran Trippier (49) has created more chances from set plays than James Ward-Prowse (35) in the Premier League this season, while the Southampton skipper is the only player to create 25+ chances from both open play (27) and set pieces (35) in the division this term.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

Boos from the Southampton fans as Danny Ings' name is read out.

Ings left Saints for Aston Villa in a surprise £25m move in August 2021.

The striker scored 46 goals in 100 games for the club so the Southampton supporters will be wary of Ings doing some damage today.

Harry Tizard, The Saints Score, external

When Nathan Jones said Theo Walcott would be “vital” for Southampton, most fans thought it was just another one of many baffling statements coming from the former Luton Town manager before his timely departure.

His comment came as a surprise at the time, with the winger having played just six games at that point in all competitions, with just one start in the Premier League.

His game time was limited under the Welsh manager, but he has been an integral part of Ruben Selles’ rejuvenated side, featuring in all six league games since he took over.

Walcott has been a breath of fresh air on the wings. Adam Armstrong, Mislav Orsic, Moussa Djenepo and Mohamed Elyounoussi have all failed to impress spectators, while crowd pleasers Stuart Armstrong and Samuel Edozie have been in and out of the squad.

The difference maker against Tottenham Hotspur, bagging a goal and an assist, the 33-year-old used to be a symbol of frustration, but his direct and endless running, his eye for goal and his experienced presence among a field of young prospects have depicted him as a sign of hope.

Ray Hunt, In That Number, external

With Saints rooted to the bottom of the league, there are plenty playing for their futures - but the one who stands out with a point to prove is Mohamed Elyounoussi.

He has failed to score and only registered one assist all season despite featuring regularly under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles. He also continues to make the Norway national squad.

There’s no questioning his work ethic or commitment, but the lack of real production continues to be an issue.

With Saints’ Premier League status in jeopardy, and his contract ending in the summer, he needs to put himself on the market if he wants to secure a new deal.

Read the full piece here

For this week's Premier League predictions Chris Sutton faces DMA'S frontman and Everton fan Tommy O'Dell.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

West Ham are in trouble and really need to win this game but I keep thinking things will click for them and it hasn't happened so far.

The atmosphere is going to be so nervy and that will suit Southampton who, along with Leicester, are one of only two top-flight teams to have picked up more points away than they have done at home this season.

That away form will give Saints some belief and, with James Ward-Prowse in their side, they have such a weapon from free-kicks. They are bottom so they are under pressure but the real pressure on Sunday will be on the Hammers.

David Moyes said the video assistant referee "needed to go to Specsavers" after some important decisions went against his team when these two sides drew 1-1 at St Mary's Stadium in October - including what he called a "judo move" by a Southampton defender inside their box.

This time it is going to be just as close and even a draw might not be enough to save Moyes.

He definitely needs the big calls to go his way this time, otherwise he could end up on the wrong end of a karate move - and get the chop.

Tommy's prediction: 1-1

Another draw, like Forest against Wolves - I just feel like a few of these games between the bottom sides will end up even.

Find out what Sutton and O’Dell predicted for the rest of the weekend's games and cast your vote

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham manager David Moyes says his side are "ready" to get themselves out of the relegation battle.

"I've not worked it out [how many points we will need to stay up]," he said. "Nine or 10 teams are involved at the bottom and we have to work a way of being safe come the end of the season - and I'm sure we will be.

"We've got nine games in April and a lot of them at home, so it'll take a lot from the players, and anything from the supporters will hopefully add to the players' effort.

"I think they're ready, we're in a good frame of mind and will pick up the points we need to not be at the bottom end of the table."

There are currently just four points between 12th-placed Crystal Palace and 20th-placed Southampton - the fewest amount of points ever separating the bottom nine teams in the Premier League at this stage of a season.

Moyes, who is in his second spell with the east London side, acknowledged that teams have normally "broken away" at this point of the campaign.

"We've not had so many teams fighting it out, but there is very little difference between a lot of teams aside from the three or four outstanding teams," added Moyes.

"Getting wins at the start of the season can make a difference, but we didn't and we paid the price and we're trying to make up for that."

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Mia Claydon, Green Street Hammers, external

Ben Johnson – although this could be said about a lot of current Hammers players. He appears to be playing without confidence and, since his injury return, he has been complacent on the ball, gifting possession away or playing backwards.

This is frustrating for fans of a team in desperate need of goals. Also, Johnson has been poor defensively and lucky to get away with challenges in the box several times.

Prior to his injury, the Young Lion was approaching his best form and had seemed to eliminate our full-back concerns. Given he was called up for the England Under-21s recently, this will hopefully be the boost he needs to get back to his best.

Read the full piece here

Southampton

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton boss Ruben Selles, speaking to Sky Sports: "We showed some togetherness in our last match against Tottenham and it's something we can build on.

"I've said many times James Ward-Prowse is a key player for the club. No one can doubt his qualities. What we need to do is put some good performances on the pitch and get three points.

"The international break has given us time to evaluate the last six weeks [since Nathan Jones was sacked]. We are ready for the last 10 games and we are ready for today."

Ruben Selles says he is "growing" as Southampton manager and that he is "proud" of what they're doing at the club.

The 39-year-old was appointed on a deal until the end of the season following the sacking of Nathan Jones in February.

"I try to evolve every single day and find ways to motivate my players and the myself," he said before Sunday's game against West Ham.

"In the same time I am enjoying the position - I feel like I am growing with this leadership position.

"I am very proud of what we are doing.

"We talk about ups and down, the wins are there and I think we can get some more points. We have made some good performances, some performances could be better. We can remove some of the defensive situations.

"I think the team is growing, especially in terms of mindset. The team knows exactly what to do.

"We are getting more consistency and we're a team that is playing better every day. We don't want to stay the same, we want to get 1% better every day."

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

Southampton arrive at the London Stadium bottom of the table and knowing they will still be in the relegation zone even if they win (unless it's by an unlikely five goals).

However, they are not in bad from. Eight points from their last six games includes victories against Chelsea and Leicester and creditable draws against Manchester United and Tottenham.

And they are unbeaten in three games against West Ham, including an FA Cup triumph and a victory in the corresponding fixture last season.