Fulham FC vs Southampton FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Fulham FC vs Southampton FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Andreas Pereira and Muniz thought this would be their day at Anfield, but the returning Diogo Jota had none of it, in Fulham’s 2-2 draw against the current league leaders. Andy Robertson’s early red card in the 17th minute meant Fulham had a great chance to capitalise on numericals, despite already being a goal up 6 minutes prior. The Cottagers after having played the team in the top half of the table now face a team in the bottom half. 

One of two managers who wouldn’t compromise on their attacking style of play was made to pay last week when Southampton took on Spurs. Russel Martin was given marching orders right after the game as his team got annihilated by 5 first half goals against Tottenham Hotspurs. He was the second manager to be sacked during gameweek 16. The Saints’ are attacking wise sharp, but defensively very poor. Gaps emerge as players continually switch off. A goal after 40 seconds gave everyone a little glimpse of what was to come. 

Russel Martin quickly changed his backline to a 3 man defence, but things only exacerbated. Southampton are 9 points from safety and guaranteed to stay bottom at Christmas. The only other worse performing team is Wolves, who have the firepower to change things. Martin’s style of play suited the Championship winning 25 games on the bounce, but the Premier League is a different ball game. 

Head to Head : Both teams have played each other 18 times. Fulham have won 6. The Saints’ have won 5 of those affairs, with 7 ending in a stalemate. The Cottagers have scored 24 goals against the team from the Southern coast. While, the Saints have scored 27 against the London club. 

Current Standings : Fulham are currently sat in 8th position with 24 points. Southampton are languishing at the bottom of the table with a paltry 5 points. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Fulham FC Preview

The Cottagers did the double over the Saints’ the season that they got relegated. That was before winning just one out of their 9 encounters with Southampton - drawing four and losing 4. Fulham have been rampant in attack, finding the net in each of their last 15 games. Surpassing every other team in the Premier League. Marco Silva’s men need to better protect their goal mouth. A number 6 needs to be deployed because a lot of opponents shoot from distance and score. 

The Cottagers have conceded 32% of their goals from outside the box - more than any team in the competition this season. The good news is that they’re playing a side that’s in dire straits and rarely scores goals, let alone from outside the box. As we saw last week against league leaders Liverpool, Fulham aim to be the first team to register a goal. This has happened on 12 different occasions. While opponents Southampton have done the complete opposite, by conceding first on 12 different occasions. Although Marco Silva’s men are sitting in the top half of the table this season, they need to be wary of dropped points. With the 17 league-high points that they’ve dropped, Fulham could easily have been on 41 points.

Player to watch out for

Alex Iwobi is enjoying life at the Cottage after registering 3 assists and 5 goals so far this season. The Nigerian could break his previous tally of 9 goal involvements that he recorded in 2022-23 and 2018-19. Marco Silva has been the right mentor for the 28 year old. The Portuguese manager has built a formidable front line that enhances Iwobi’s playing style and allows him to take on defenders with his high-octane running and dribbling. It’s only a matter of time before the Nigerian walks past his own record. 

Injury - Andersen, Reed and Nelson are all out injured. 

Fulham Probable 11 - Leno (GK), Tete, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson (DEF), Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, Pereira, Wilson (MID), Jimenez (FWD)

Southampton FC Preview

The Saints have a poor track record against London sides, losing 8 of their 10 Premier League away fixtures, only picking up points against Chelsea and Arsenal. Considering the form Southampton are currently in, a draw seems like the best option. In any case Southampton have not beaten Fulham since 2014 under Mauricio Pochettino. For the first time in their history, despite the outcome of this game - Southampton will be bottom of the table at Christmas. 

Only Sheffield United have had fewer points at Christmas (2), and as one would rightly guess they went on to get relegated from the league. Out of 24 points on the road, the Saints’ have only picked up 1 - the fewest among all teams in the competition. Every team has a player who has scored more than two goals in the league, except for Southampton. The goals are running dry as is time. Adam Armstrong, Joe Aribo and Cameron Archer are all on 2 goals and will need to find the back of the net if they are to turn this campaign around. 

In Premier League history, no team who had a change of manager while being nine points adrift has managed to continue the following season. Being 5 points adrift was the most a club survived, which is the position that second-bottom Wolves currently find themselves in. Russel Martin’s free flowing attacking football placed too much emphasis on going forward, very little at keeping goals at bay. 

The new manager will want to plug that. Southampton before being relegated the year before faced a similar situation, but not one of this gravity. This tells you it’s not a playing philosophy but a club structural issue. Unfortunately only 4 teams have previously survived relegation after being bottom at Christmas. The capital gains in the Premier League are a lot to pay a blind too. Time will tell if it’s the players or prayers that save the club. 

Injury - Bazunu, Stewart, Smallbone, Ramsdale, Lallana and Larios are out injured. 

Southampton Probable 11 - McCarthy (GK), Manning, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis (DEF), Aribo, Downes, Fernandes, Dibling (MID), Armstrong, Sulemana (FWD).

FULHAM FC vs SOUTHAMPTON FC
Winning Prediction

Fulham, despite league struggles, are formidable at Craven Cottage. Jimenez and Silva's team will aim for an early lead and secure victory over Southampton. This win is crucial before facing Chelsea and the busy schedule ahead. Interim manager Rusk faces a tough challenge against Fulham's strong, high-pressing style.

Fulham to Win (3-0)

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