West Ham boss Graham Potter is refusing to take relegated Southampton's struggles for granted as he prepares for their visit in Saturday's Premier League clash.

Southampton are playing for pride with their return to the Championship already confirmed, having lost 26 games this campaign – the most in their league history.

In fact, Southampton will have spent 170 days bottom of the Premier League this season by Saturday's kick-off, which is their most in a single season.

Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Potter, however, expects a difficult challenge at the London Stadium.

"We know that no game in this league is easy, but we need to try to be positive and win and take the three points," said Potter, whose side fell to a 2-1 away defeat against Liverpool last time out.

Potter believes there are signs of improvements, too, despite West Ham sitting 17th in the table.

"We've been competitive in all the games, and we just have to get over the line now," Potter added.

"Without being fantastic in terms of where we want to move to, we've certainly been competitive and together."

Southampton have accumulated just 10 points in the 2024-25 season, leaving them bottom of the table.

Simon Rusk remains in interim charge after the exit of Ivan Juric, who left after managing just 16 games having only replaced Russell Martin midway through the campaign.

"I'm very proud to manage the team, in spite of the difficult circumstances," Rusk said. "It's a demanding role but the players have been great, really receptive to everything. I’ll be honest with them and support them as best I can.

"It's not a straightforward situation but it's certainly a manageable one because the lads, in my opinion, are giving everything still."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham – Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta may not have recorded a goal or assist in the loss to Liverpool, but he caused the league leaders a few problems.

Indeed, the Brazil midfielder managed 22 passes in the final third – the most of any West Ham player – while enjoying a team-leading 78 touches on Sunday at Anfield.

Southampton – Jack Stephens

Jack Stephens and the Southampton defence will expect a busy outing as the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus pepper their goal.

Centre-back Stephens may be well prepared, though – in the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, he made 10 of their 18 tackles. That was the most in a Premier League game by a Southampton player since Kyle Walker-Peters managed 11 in December 2020.

MATCH PREDICTION – WEST HAM WIN

West Ham may have gone five Premier League games without victory, their longest run since failing to win the first six matches of 2024, but the hosts will fancy claiming all three points here.

Potter's side have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Southampton (W8 D3), going down 3-2 at home in December 2021.

That run should continue at the London Stadium considering Southampton's 81% loss percentage this term is the highest by any side in top-flight history across a single campaign.

It is hard to expect both sides sharing a point on Saturday, too, given none of Southampton's last 20 top-flight visits to West Ham have ended level (15 wins for the Hammers, five losses).

However, Potter will know his side must improve. Their 17th-placed standing is the lowest position in the table as late into the season as this (33rd game), since the final day of the 2010-11 season when they were 20th and relegated.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

West Ham win – 60.9%

Draw – 20.7%

Southampton win – 18.4%