Here’s our Fulham Vs Southampton preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage.
Fulham Vs Southampton Preview
Following the sacking of manager Russell Martin, Southampton look set to announce ex-Torino and Roma boss Ivan Juric ahead of this weekend’s trip to Fulham.
Juric will take over after Saints parted ways with Martin following their 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham last weekend.
They looked better at times under interim boss Simon Rusk in Wednesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, but are still a side devoid of confidence.
Southampton head into this weekend bottom of the table, with just one win and five points from 16 games.
The Saints are nine points from safety, with no team ever staying up having picked up so few points at this stage of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Fulham held league leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw last time out. Andy Robertson’s red card at Anfield did help, but Marco Silva’s men have been solid throughout the season to date.
In a crowded mid-table, they are currently eighth on 24 points. With six wins, six draws and four defeats, the West London side have been strong at home and will fancy their chances against basement-dwellers Southampton.
New Saints boss Juric may or may not be in the dugout in time for kickoff, but will be up against it as soon as he enters the club.
🚨🔴⚪️ Southampton have agreed deal to appoint Ivan Jurić as new head coach to replace Russell Martin.
Contract set to be signed today.
Verbal agreement in place on contract terms; formally working on exit terms from AS Roma.
Ivan Jurić said yes to Saints FC, Röhl won’t join. pic.twitter.com/G9XyklZvyz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2024
Fulham Vs Southampton Team News
With no confirmation of Juric’s arrival, it seems likely Simon Rusk will prepare and select the side for Southampton.
Keeper Aaron Ramsdale is still a doubt, but is said to be close to a return from a broken finger.
Captain Jack Stephens serves the final of his four-game ban after being sent off against Chelsea.
Will Smallbone (thigh), Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Ross Stewart (calf) are all still out, while Kyle Walker-Peters will be assessed before the match.
Fulham are missing Andreas Pereira. The playmaker is banned after picking up too many yellow cards.
Calvin Bassey and Tom Cairney are both back from their respective suspensions, though. Kenny Tete and Joachim Anderson are doubts, but neither has yet been ruled out for definite.
Former Arsenal man Emile Smith-Rowe should come in for Pereira in midfield, but fellow ex-Gunner Reiss Nelson (thigh) is out until the new year.
Southampton academy graduate Harrison Reid will not face his former club, as he continues to recover from a knee problem.
Fulham Vs Southampton Confirmed Lineups
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Cairney, Berge; Iwobi, King, Wilson; Muniz
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Aribo
Fulham Vs Southampton Prediction
Saints may not have their next boss in place quickly enough for the ‘new manager bounce’. Burt even if Ivan Juric does lead them against Fulham, the Cottagers have been extremely hard to beat this season.
Fulham have not been kept goalless since the opening day, while Southampton have the worst attacking output in the league.
We therefore expect a routine victory for the hosts, and more pain for the Saints.
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 Southampton
