Ralph Hasenhuttl has praised West Ham for their "amazing" season ahead of the Hammers visit to St Mary's on Wednesday evening.
David Moyes will take his team to the south coast for an FA Cup fifth round clash on Wednesday evening in a tie Hasenhuttl admits will be a "good cup fight".
The Saints will be without three first-team players through injury with goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, Brazilian defender Lyanco and Nathan Tella all missing from the Southampton side.
West Ham have a number of injuries to contend with themselves with Vladimir Coufal missing after surgery on a hernia issue, Ryan Fredericks is out with a groin complaint and Harrison Ashby the latest defender on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The trio join longer-term absentees Angello Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku.
Despite the injuries, West Ham returned to form with a win over Wolves on Sunday afternoon and Hasenhuttl was full of praise for tomorrow night's visitors.
"They have had a fantastic season and they also have the target of the Europa League, and also the Champions League is reachable for them, which shows you how amazing the season has been for West Ham," said the Southampton manager.
"We have twice done a good job against them and we will need another good game, but this is what we are concentrating on and we are preparing for a good cup fight."
Moyes agreed with Hasenhuttl that the tie will be a tough one with the manager wary of his hosts.
"I think Southampton's recent form has been very good, they were excellent against Tottenham the other week," Moyes said. "I think they are in a good vein of form. The Premier League at different times does that, you have teams in good form and others not quite so good. I think Southampton are one of those sides.
"We have had interesting games over the years against them and at the moment Southampton came out on top in the last league game so we know it is going to be a difficult game."
