Fulham vs Southampton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Marco Silva and his Fulham side will be eyeing up a tilt at the European spots as they now welcome Championship-bound Southampton to Craven Cottage this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 22nd December, 2024: UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock
Fulham Preview: Excellent Fulham
Fulham come into this one on the back of a four-match unbeaten run of form with three of those games being draws but those draws have come away at both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool as well as at home to Arsenal as they challenge for European qualification.
The Cottagers have been entertaining to watch throughout the campaign, too. In their last game, they went to Anfield and took the lead twice against the ten-man Reds before eventually conceding an 86th minute equaliser to Portugal international Diogo Jota.
Southampton Preview: Saints need a miracle
Southampton appear destined for the Championship regardless of the fact that they have now taken the decision to sack manager Russell Martin. Ivan Juric has replaced him but interim coach Simon Rusk is to remain in charge of the Saints’ trip north to the capital city.
Martin’s final game in charge of Saints came at St Mary’s last weekend as they were hammered 5-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend with all five goals coming in the first-half. They were more direct against Liverpool in the cup in midweek and improved but still suffered a 2-1 loss.
Fulham Team News: Tete out
Key defender Kenny Tete is now unavailable for Fulham with the Dutchman said to be out for a 'long period' but he will not require surgery on his injury. Andreas Pereira is missing through suspension with both Harrison Reed and Reiss Nelson remaining unavailable due to injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, WIlson; Jimenez
Unavailable: Tete (Injured), Pereira (Suspended), Reed (Injured), Nelson (Injured)
Questionable: Andersen (Injured)
Southampton Team News: KWP back but Ramsdale still a doubt
Simon Rusk has said that England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been back involved but there still needs to be a 'conversation' over his availability for this weekend's trip to Craven Cottage. Kyle Walker-Peters, though, has returned to full fitness for this one and he will be available.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Bednarek, Manning; Dibling, Fernandes, Downes, Armstrong; Archer
Unavailable: Bazunu (Injured), Stephens (Suspended), Smallbone (Injured), Stewart (Injured)
Questionable: Ramsdale (Injured)
Fulham vs Southampton Prediction
Almost a year ago to the day, an enterprising Fulham side were beaten 2-0 by eventually relegated Burnley at Craven Cottage in something of a major surprise. The circumstances of this one are quite similar but one key difference would be that the hosts appear a lot more secure and confident in themselves. Saints will be a little more direct, as they were in midweek, so mistakes should be fewer but Fulham should still come out on top quite comfortably.
Fulham vs Southampton Tip: Fulham to win
