West Ham could be prepared to drop their own Leo Scienza for Southampton clash

Southampton still have a lot of top-quality attackers to fall back on for their trip to West Ham United, even if Cyle Larin isn't chucked into the starting XI from the get-go.

On his day, Finn Azaz is one of the most eye-catching number ten's in the entire division, with eight goal contributions next to his name in the Championship this season, from only 11 outings.

Alongside Azaz, there is also the spellbinding presence of Leo Scienza, who will be desperate for a great performance, in such a box office clash, to prove he's one of the Championship's best, after some lacklustre displays as of late.

Scienza will be desperate to impress

Scienza hasn't scored or assisted across his last four Saints appearances in the second tier, which is very unlike the skilful Brazilian.

Last season, he was a standout performer during Southampton's promotion near miss, with 17 goal contributions a very fruitful return for a player experiencing his debut season in such a challenging division.

Now, he's regarded as one of the trickiest wingers in the whole league, and he does have two goals and two assists next to his name during the early stages of this season, despite blanking across recent matches.

He did have two shots on goal during the Saints' recent 0-0 stalemate against Bolton Wanderers, so it's not as if he has been anonymous.

Hopefully, he breaks his long streak without a goal or an assist in such a big game near the top of the league, as the South Coast outfit try to show they belong in the automatic promotion conversation.

If Larin is missing, Eckert will need the likes of Scienza to step up, and he has dazzled in other top-of-the-table clashes this season, having scored a decisive strike during the 3-1 win against Swansea City in September.

He will feel he's secure in his starting spot, despite some unmemorable performances as of late, as the likes of Samuel Edozie and Lewis Dobbin are hardly breathing down his neck as other left-sided options.

Now is the time to show he belongs in the starting XI, away from there being a lack of depth.

West Ham could be prepared to drop their own version of Scienza, on the other hand, as Nuno Espirito Santo has an embarrassment of riches to choose from up top at the London Stadium.

West Ham could be prepared to drop their own Scienza

The Hammers forward line is stacked.

Nuno has Joel Piroe, Taty Castellanos and Pablo he can call upon to lead the line, whilst alongside the unbelievable Jarrod Bowen, who has 11 goal contributions in 11 league games, he also has Manor Solomon, who can singlehandedly win games with his own direct approach down the left channel, like the aforementioned Scienza.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur attacker has 12 goals and 14 assists next to his name in the Championship, having previously called the EFL's elite league home with Leeds United, with Scienza only five behind his Israeli counterpart when looking at their respective second tier tallies.

Yet, as is the case with luxury players, Solomon has blown hot and cold this campaign so far for the promotion favourites, with two goals and two assists under his belt, which is the exact same tally the hit-and-miss Brazilian finds himself on.

Consequently, despite being such an entrancing watch at his very best - like Scienza when he's full of confidence - he might well make way for Edvin Austbø on the left, who collected a goal and an assist against Lincoln City in a 6-0 demolition job, despite only being present for 45 minutes.

It's staggering that West Ham can just discard of Solomon and still be at ease with the quality of their starting eleven.

From Southampton's perspective, they don't have the same plentiful options to drop Scienza, with Eckert hoping he can be a difference maker later on today to break out of his passive performances, no matter what West Ham lineup is fielded by Nuno.

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