West Ham sit second in the Championship and remain promotion favourites while Saints have promotion aspirations of their own.
It makes this weekend’s meeting a blockbuster clash in the second tier against two sides hoping to play Premier League football next term.
“We know they have quality players, and they are solid. They have a very good squad and we’re going to face a tough opponent,” Santo said when previewing the match. “We want to keep more clean sheets, so we will work hard, and we will compete.
“We are in a good place, but we’re aware that everything will be different tomorrow. We have to take this confidence onto the pitch. We’re looking forward to being back home.”
Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse is set to start against his former side, two months after leaving the Hammers to return to his former side.
Ward-Prowse was exiled by Espirito Santo at West Ham having previously faced difficulties working under the Portuguese while on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Asked about the 31 year old’s return to the London Stadium, the West Ham boss said: “Southampton is full of quality players, including James. We will prepare as normal, looking at the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and we have to be aware of many of their players.”
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