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Southend United resume their pre-season campaign by welcoming recently-relegated West Ham United to Roots Hall Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Shrimpers began their schedule with a 2-1 defeat against Cambridge United, while Nuno Espirito Santo's Hammers return to action for the first time since ending last season with a 3-0 victory over Leeds United.
Despite that final-day success, West Ham were unable to avoid relegation and will begin the 2026-27 campaign in the Championship for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Southend United vs West Ham key stats
- Only two sides conceded fewer goals than Southend United's 47 in the National League last season, with both of those teams earning promotion.
- The Shrimpers parted ways with long-term manager Kevin Maher after 243 matches in charge, with the former midfielder departing with a win rate of 44.4%.
- West Ham will play in the second tier for the first time since the 2011-12 season, although they secured an immediate return to the Premier League through the playoffs on that occasion.
- The Hammers were relegated just three years after ending a 43-year wait for major silverware by winning the Europa Conference League.
Southend United vs West Ham preview: Can West Ham build some momentum ahead of a season in the Championship?
Southend United vs West Ham United — Tale of the Tape
| Southend United (National League) | vs | West Ham United (Premier League) |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 18th |
| 81 | Points | 39 |
| 83 | Goals For | 46 |
| 47 | Goals Against | 65 |
| 17 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 6th / 6th | Home / Away Rank | 15th / 17th |
Following the departure of long-term boss Kevin Maher, Southend United have begun their rebuild by appointing Kieron Dyer as his replacement.
Maher's exit came as a surprise after he guided the Shrimpers to a sixth-place finish last season, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot after defeat to Scunthorpe United in the quarter-finals, while also leading the club to FA Trophy success just days before his departure.
Dyer now inherits a squad that currently contains just 16 first-team players, with the club's ongoing financial issues limiting their ability to make significant additions during the summer window.
With financial issues surrounding the club for a number of years, they have been forced to settle for signings on free transfers.
Southend have therefore focused on free transfers, with Anthony Hartigan, Vontae Daley-Campbell and Lewys Twamley among those arriving ahead of the new campaign and expected to make their competitive debuts.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the squad, the Shrimpers can take confidence from their defensive record last season, having conceded fewer than all but two National League sides.
They will now look to build towards the new campaign with a positive performance against Championship opposition.
As for West Ham, their transfer activity has been slowed by the ongoing 2026 World Cup, with the club still assessing their squad ahead of their return to the second tier.
Several key players including Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Crysencio Summerville and Konstantinos Mavropanos have attracted interest from elsewhere, while Mateus Fernandes has already departed for Tottenham Hotspur in an £85m deal.
The Hammers will be hoping to use pre-season to prepare for life in the Championship following a difficult Premier League campaign, despite ending last season with victory over Leeds United.
After Saturday's trip to Roots Hall, West Ham will continue their preparations with fixtures against Stevenage, Rangers and Magdeburg before beginning their competitive schedule against Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy.
Southend United vs West Ham form guide & betting tips
| Southend United | vs | West Ham United |
|---|---|---|
L
W
L
W*
L |
Form |
W
L
L
L
W
|
| 6 | Goals For | 6 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 8 |
L |
Club Friendly |
Whispers predicts: Southend United 2-3 West Ham
Although there are no odds available for this fixture yet, we are expecting an entertaining contest with both teams finding the back of the net.
Southend United are still short on numbers after a summer of change, while West Ham will be keen to make a positive start following their relegation from the Premier League.
We expect the Hammers' extra quality to prove decisive, but with both sides still building fitness and defensive organisation, goals could be on the cards.
If Jarrod Bowen features, he could be a strong option to find the net, while we are also backing Both Teams To Score and over 2.5 goals.
> Both teams to score (odds not available)
> West Ham to win (odds not available)
> Over 2.5 goals – Yes (odds not available)
> Correct score – Southend United 2-3 West Ham United (odds not available)