FA Cup: Former Winners Roll Back the Years!

Southampton vs West Ham United

Southampton vs West Ham may not sound like the biggest FA Cup clash of the year but we’re in for a treat when the two teams meet at St Mary’s on Wednesday. 

Both teams come into the game on the back of a home league win, Southampton beating bottom club Norwich City 2-0 while West Ham saw off Wolves 1-0 in a Europe chasing clash. And they are both in the best shape they have been for some time, currently sitting ninth and fifth in the league table.

This competition is special to both clubs as they each won the FA Cup when they were in the second tier of English football. Southampton won in 1976 by beating Manchester United and four years later West Ham emulated the feat, beating Arsenal thanks to a goal from Hammers legend Trevor Brooking, a year before they were promoted to the top flight. That was the last time a club from outside the top division won the trophy and it’s unlikely to happen again.

But right now, both Southampton and West Ham are serious contenders and one step away from the 2022 quarter final, with the latest FA Cup 2022 betting odds pricing West Ham at odds of 13.00 to win the cup with the Saints at 26.00. 

Talking Points

Saints attacking choice

Ralph Hassenhuttl’s Southampton is the only team to have been beaten twice by a 9-0 score-line in the Premier League, hammered by Leicester City and Manchester United by that margin within a space of 16 months. But 12 months on from the most recent humiliation this Southampton team is a different animal, sure at the back and with multiple threats going forward.

With Fraser Forster commanding in goal and Jan Bednarek leading the defence, captain and skipper James Ward-Prowse links defence and attack brilliantly and, of course, he has a world class dead ball delivery. The Saints have picked up 11 points from five league games recently, drawing with both Manchester clubs and beating Spurs, Everton and Norwich. Strikers Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong, Shane Long and Armando Broja have all been on target during this run and Hassenhuttl will start with two on the pitch and two on the bench, with plenty of opportunity to change a game.

The loss of Danny Ings to Aston Villa set alarm bells ringing at Saint Mary’s, but they needn’t have worried and the FA Cup 2022 highlights are sure to show the Saints attacking options, as well as a Ward-Prowse free-kick! 

Antonio looking for a goal  

West Ham’s clash with Wolves was always going to be a tight affair, two sides pushing for a top four place and un-fancied among the usual suspects of Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. But they are both serious in their intentions and on this occasion the Hammers won out thanks to a Tomas Soucek goal which was put a plate for him by Michail Antonio. The Number Nine has been struggling to score for himself and has drawn a blank in the Hammers last five games, relying on his team-mates to take up the responsibility. 

Centre back Craig Dawson has been on the score sheet twice in recent weeks, including an injury time leveller in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City. Meanwhile attacking midfielder Jarrod Bowen has recovered from a knock he picked up and is ready to spearhead West Ham’s Champions League ambitions. He has bagged two league goals in the last four games as well as scoring, alongside midfield lynchpin Declan Rice, as the Hammers broke Kidderminster hearts with a late, late comeback in the fourth round.

With the quality of Rice and Bowen in midfield it’s little surprise that David Moyes’ Hammers are pushing for Europe again, but their fans would dearly love to see the club’s trophy cabinet opening again.  

History

West Ham have won 19 of the 43 meetings with Southampton in the Premier League era while the Saints have won 13 and there have been 11 draws. 

The Saints won 3-2 when the teams met on Boxing Day, Ward Prowse was on target as his team began their climb away from trouble and up the league table.

Southampton’s recent form has been superb, they are unbeaten in six, winning four, and the Hammers haven’t been too shabby themselves, winning three and drawing two of the last five.

Betting Tip

The Saints are at a SBOTOP price of 2.32 to win this tie in 90 minutes, while the Hammers are at a price of 2.85 and the draw is 3.15. There is a good case for both teams, but with that little extra quality and a very hungry striker I think the Hammers just have the edge.

 

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