West Ham United have given themselves real hope of staying up with recent results but for Southampton the opposite is true.

West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 in a crucial relegation six-pointer two weeks ago to breathe new life into a season that was threatening to go completely off the rails.

A point at Chelsea next time out gave David Moyes’ Hammers a six point gap over the Saints in the relegation zone with six games remaining.

There is not let up for either side, though, with Southampton facing Chelsea next and West Ham gearing up for another six-pointer, this time against a Stoke City side looking increasingly likely to drop.

But so tight is the bottom half of the Premier League this season, a win for Stoke could put them one point off safety and drag West Ham back into the mix.

You could cut the tension with a knife but Hammers assistant manager Stuart Pearce has injected some much-needed humour into the relegation battle when appearing as a guest on Sky Sports’ The Debate.

“Well I hope they will be, because that might just help us out a touch!,” a laughing Pearce told The Debate when asked whether he thought Southampton would be relegated.

“I think it’s going to be tough for them, I think they’re in the mix.

“I think West Brom are in a bit of trouble at the moment but I think it’s any two from six on and beyond that and a couple of head-to-heads leading into the end of the season are going to be vital.”

West Ham have the much tougher run in with Arsenal, Manchester City, Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton after the Stoke game.

Meanwhile Saints have Leicester, Bournemouth, Everton and Swansea before a home game against champions-elect Manchester City on the final day.

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