Fulham take on bottom-of-the-table Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday as they aim to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
The Cottagers have escaped their December gauntlet so far without tasting defeat and are well-positioned in mid-table. The remarkably condense top half means Fulham are just four points adrift of Aston Villa in fifth after the Villans beat Manchester City on Saturday.
Marco Silva’s side have recovered after getting thumped 4-1 by Wolves on home soil, with their recent unbeaten run including draws against Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as a 3-1 victory over Brighton.
Southampton have officially confirmed former Roma, Torino and Verona manager Ivan Juric as Russell Martin’s successor, but interim boss Simon Rusk is set to take charge of the Saints this weekend.
After last week’s mauling at home to Tottenham Hotspur, the Saints gave a decent account of themselves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. They were ultimately beaten by a heavily rotated Liverpool team 2-1, however.
Here is 90min’s guide to Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Fulham vs Southampton H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
Fulham | Southampton |
|---|---|
Liverpool 2-2 Fulham – 14/12/24 | Southampton 1-2 Liverpool – 18/12/24 |
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal – 08/12/24 | Southampton 0-5 Tottenham – 15/12/24 |
Fulham 3-1 Brighton – 05/12/24 | Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton – 07/12/24 |
Tottenham 1-1 Fulham – 01/12/24 | Southampton 1-5 Chelsea – 04/12/24 |
Fulham 1-4 Wolves – 23/11/24 | Brighton 1-1 Southampton – 29/11/24 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Main Event. Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
United States | Peacock |
Canada | fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 4 Canada |
Andreas Pereira, who’s only just returned from his brief exile and scored last week at Anfield, is out of Sunday’s game having picked up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season. However, Silva does have Tom Cairney available for selection after serving a three-game ban.
Calvin Bassey can also return to Fulham’s backline.
Reiss Nelson is sidelined for the long haul with a hamstring injury, while Kenny Tete is set for at least two months out with a knee issue. Harrison Reed is sidelined, but Joachim Anderson should be able to return from a calf problem.
Fulham predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez.
Southampton captain Jack Stephens is still out suspended, although he’s serving the last of his four-game ban this weekend. The Saints are also without Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone, and Ross Stewart.
Aaron Ramsdale is on the comeback trail having missed a sustained period due to a finger injury. The former Arsenal goalkeeper could replace Alex McCarthy between the sticks on Sunday.
Kyle Walker-Peters was absent in midweek due to a knock, but the versatile wing-back should be fit enough to return this weekend.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Fulham (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Archer.
Juric is an interesting appointment, but it remains to be seen whether the hard-nosed tactician will be able to stage a resurgence. Rusk got a tune out of the Saints on Wednesday, but they were facing a Liverpool team bereft of its leading stars.
Fulham have a couple of key players out, but they’ve impressed this month despite picking up a string of draws. Their performances against some of the league’s best have pointed towards a team capable of competing for Europe this term.
The hosts should make little fuss of the Saints’ visit on Sunday.
Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Southampton
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Lawanda Latson
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