Preview: West Ham United vs. Southampton

Two of the Premier League's midtable teams meet when West Ham United host Southampton this Saturday.

The home side will be without striker Andy Carroll again, as he serves the final game of his three-match ban following his red card in the team's win over Swansea City.

Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Vaz Te remain long-term injury absentees for the Hammers, but Sam Allardyce has no new concerns heading into the game.

West Ham sit 11th in the table heading into the match, but could jump up into the top half of the table if they avoid defeat.

Meanwhile, the visitors could be lifted by the returns of Gaston Ramirez and Dejan Lovren for their trip to Upton Park.

The duo both picked up ankle ligament injuries last month, but have been increasing their workload in training this week.

The Saints, who are eighth in the table, have been in strong form recently, having not lost in their last six top-flight matches.

When the sides met earlier in the season, the game finished goalless.

Recent form

West Ham: LLDWWW

Southampton: WDWDWL

Possible starting lineups

West Ham: Adrian, McCartney, Tomkins, Taylor, Collins, Noble, Demel, Jarvis, Downing, Nolan, C.Cole

Southampton: Boruc, Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert

Sports Mole says: 1-2