Southampton's new manager Ivan Juric has promised his fans 'death metal' football as he looks to guide Saints to safety.
Juric was appointed as the new boss of Southampton last week following the sacking of Russell Martin.
The Croatian, who was fired by Roma earlier this season, watched from the stands during the 0-0 draw against Fulham on Saturday.
Next up is West Ham on Boxing Day as Juric makes his Premier League bow and he has promised to bring an action-oriented style of play to St Mary's.
“When I was young I was really into death metal music, and that's something I think is my style of football,” Juric said.
“Work hard, press hard, play well, be intense, all these things. I think (the players) can do it. They are young, they are positive, they want to work hard. It is not easy to change the style immediately , but we have to be smart.”
Let's get started pic.twitter.com/dXDs8BsyCG
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 24, 2024
While Southampton have now made a management change, West Ham were behind Julen Lopetegui, who was under pressure after a poor start to the season.
After a 1-1 draw against Brighton, West Ham are unbeaten in three games heading into Thursday's match.
However, Lopetegui has been dealing with several injuries, including the long-term absence of Michail Antonio, who underwent surgery after being involved in a road accident earlier in December.
Niclas Fullkrug, who took over West Ham from Borussia Dortmund this summer, was unable to secure a starting place due to an injury, but Lopetegui does not want to put pressure on the German international.
“It's true that we didn't have Fullkrug at his best, and Danny Ings is doing well, so we can use Jarrod Bowen too, so we have different options. [up front]” he said via WHUFC.com.
“We must try to take advantage of the best options that we understand in every match, at every moment, realizing that they all have to be in the best way to help us a lot. Sometimes the timings did not help us. Fullkrug was three and a half months out and now he's back and ready to help us in the second half of the season.
“There isn't just one rule in football. Sometimes there is [Fullkrug] can start in our line-up and sometimes he can start on the bench. The most important thing is that all players must now be ready to play many matches in a row.”
Lopetegui looks ahead to Southampton #TalkingPoint with @LycaMobileUK pic.twitter.com/NE2SmvVSen
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 23, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Southampton – Tyler Dibling
A major positive from the first half of the season for Southampton has been the form of youngster Dibling, and Juric will look to get the best out of the winger after Martin introduces him into the squad.
Dibling has made 13 key passes in the league this season, with none of his teammates completing more.
West Ham-Mohammed Kudus
Kudus has made more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League this season (42). He has also been involved in four goals in his last six Premier League games (three goals, one assist), having failed to score or assist a goal in his first six appearances this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: WEST HAM WIN
Juric will be the fourth manager whose first Premier League match is on Boxing Day, with each of the previous three remaining unbeaten (Roberto Mancini 2-0 against Stoke in 2009, Mikel Arteta 1-1 against Bournemouth in 2019 and Lopetegui 2-1 against Everton in 2022).
However, West Ham are unbeaten in their last five away games against Southampton, with each of their last three visits ending in a draw (W2).
Southampton have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against West Ham (D3 L7), although that win came on Boxing Day (3-2 in 2021-22).
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League games against sides starting bottom of the table (W14 D6), since a 2-1 defeat to Leicester in April 2015. Both such games in 2024 ended 2-2 (v. Sheffield United in January and Burnley in March).
However, Southampton have lost just one of their last eight home games on Boxing Day (W5 D2), although that defeat did come in their last Premier League match (1-3 against Brighton in 2022).
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Westham – 43.1%
Southampton – 31.1%
Draw – 25.8%
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