England Premier League
Saturday 26th December 2020
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Craven Cottage
Match Preview:
Fulham drew their third consecutive game at the weekend as they managed a 1-1 draw at Newcastle and that was an impressive result given the clubs start to the season. These recent draws must give everyone associated with the club hope that they can kick on and survive this season.
Currently the Cottagers are in 18th place with 10 points and a win in midweek could see them move out of the bottom three depending on what happens in the Brighton and Burnley games, the clubs directly ahead of them.
There has been much to admire about Fulham in recent weeks though and that includes getting a point from their encounter with Liverpool when they got a draw against the champions. At home Scott Parker’s side have lost 4 games from seven but the good news is that is reduced to just one defeat in their last four.
Southampton lost what felt like a crunch game against Manchester City last weekend. The match finished 1-0 but was a reminder to the Saints who have started the season so well that the more successful clubs are on their back and ready to put them under pressure.
Southampton come into this match in 7th place and could well be in the top 5 by the end of this match. They have had two difficult matches in facing Arsenal and City and will look at this one as an opportunity to get back to winning ways. Away form is good with the Saints losing just once on the road so far, they currently have a pattern on the road winning and drawing and if this follows they are due a win.
Team News:
Fulham: Joachim Andersen is suspended for this game after his sending off at the weekend. Ivan Cavaleiro has a neck injury it is expected to be minor though and he will be assessed. Mario Lemina is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Southampton: Danny Ings has a hamstring injury it isn’t thought to be serious but he is only 50/50 to make this game. Oriol Romeu is suspended for this game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Fulham vs Southampton Head to Head:
The last time the clubs played here was in 2019 in the Carabao Cup where Southampton won 1-0.
The last league game was in 2018 in which Fulham were the victors winning 3-2.
In recent times this has been a fixture dominated by Southampton who have won 5 of the last six meetings.
Fulham vs Southampton Prediction:
This game boils down to another test for Southampton. It’s away from home but given Fulham’s problems this season they will be expected to win the game. However Fulham will feel they have less to lose at this stage of the season and will try and maintain their decent form and go a fourth game unbeaten.
Another hurdle for Southampton to pass then and they will keep being asked to see how long they can stay in the top half of the table for. They have the players to do so, although Danny Ings looks like he will miss the game and that will be a blow.
We will back the Saints to get the win, they remind us of Leicester this season in that when they lose and take a step back, they dust themselves down and get back to winning games fairly quickly.
Fulham vs Southampton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Southampton) at 1.625
Correct Score: Southampton to win 2-0 or 3-0 at 11.00 and 21.00
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