Preview: Southampton vs West Ham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Southampton will be looking to book their place in the third round of the EFL Cup when they welcome West Ham United to St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The hosts triumphed over League Two side Colchester United in the first round, while the visitors beat fellow Championship outfit Portsmouth.

Match preview

Southampton will be looking to build on Saturday's victory over Stoke City in the Championship, where they won 3-1 thanks to goals from Cyle Larin, Divin Mubama and Ryan Manning.

It was Southampton's first league win of the new season after they lost 2-1 to Watford in their opening match, but they remain bottom of the Championship due to the four-point deduction they received for the 'Spygate' scandal.

The Saints are looking to mount another promotion bid this season and they have strengthened their squad with the signings of Larin, Mubama, George Long, Daniel Peretz and Lewis Dobbin.

However, Southampton's focus is now on the EFL Cup and they will be looking to enjoy a deep run in the competition, having reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season.

It is worth noting that Southampton have not beaten West Ham in their last four meetings, although the Saints have won the last two Cup clashes.

West Ham have made a poor start to the season following their relegation from the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are without a win from their first two Championship matches, having drawn 2-2 with Burnley and lost 2-1 to Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

Goals from Lloyd Jones and Tyreece Campbell put the Addicks 2-0 up, but Joel Piroe got one back for the Hammers before Valentin Castellanos missed a penalty in added time.

Nuno admitted after the game that his side had "let down" their fans and he will be hoping for a much improved performance against Southampton.

Although their main focus will be the league, West Ham will also be keen to enjoy another cup run, having made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season.

Southampton form (all competitions):

West Ham United form (all competitions):

Team News

Both sides are expected to make several changes, having been in league action just three days earlier.

Southampton could hand Mubama a start up front, while Lewis Dobbin may come in for Finn Azaz in the No.10 role.

Cam Bragg could replace Flynn Downes in midfield, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis is likely to be absent again amid transfer interest from Aston Villa.

West Ham could bring midfielders Lewis Orford and James Ward-Prowse and defender Joel Veltman into the side for Arne Engels, Mohamadou Kante and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Castellanos is likely to get another opportunity up front and the Argentine will be keen to make amends for his missed penalty on Saturday.

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Peretz; Bree, Wood, Stephens, Manning; Matsuki, Bragg; Fellows, Dobbin, Scienza; Mubama

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Veltman, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Orford, Ward-Prowse, Solomon; Castellanos, Piroe