Honest Southampton FA Cup prediction emerges amid West Ham distraction

Southampton have a “real chance” of beating West Ham and progressing to the last eight of the FA Cup, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are in red-hot form ahead of their fifth-round tie with the Hammers and will be hoping to make it through to a second quarter final in as many seasons.

Southampton needed an extra-time winner to beat Coventry in the last round, but their 2-1 victory over the Championship side in round four has been the catalyst for their recent run.

Since then, Saints have collected 10 points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, including wins over Tottenham and Everton, which have allowed them to shake off any growing relegation fears and move into the top-half.

With Southampton now only seven points behind seventh-place, which might be good enough for a place in Europe, they could be in for an exciting end to the campaign.

But attentions turn back to the FA Cup this evening as the St Mary’s outfit hope to move one step closer to their first major trophy since winning the competition 46 years ago.

Southampton’s incredible home form, which has seen them lose just once all season, should give them every chance of reaching the quarter-finals, but Barclay believes that West Ham’s thoughts being elsewhere could also give Hasenhuttl’s side the edge.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They’re obviously away from danger now. But this is a real chance, isn’t it? And West Ham have got their eye on going for the Champions League, so what an opportunity.”

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Southampton might have produced a fine performance to beat the Hammers over the festive period, but the Londoners have become their bogey team in recent