With Southampton rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and Fulham pushing for a spot in the top four, this matchup at Craven Cottage promises to be an intriguing battle. Southampton will look to turn their fortunes around after a dismal run of form, while Fulham aim to continue their impressive home record.
- Southampton sacked Russell Martin after a humbling defeat to Tottenham.
- Fulham are just four points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.
Southampton have had a season to forget so far. The Saints remain one of two clubs yet to earn double digits in points despite playing 16 league matches. Their 5-0 defeat against Tottenham was the final straw for Russell Martin, who was subsequently sacked.
They have had little luck in the EFL Cup either, losing to Liverpool in the quarter-finals. With former AS Roma boss Ivan Jurić the favorite to take on the role in the coming hours or days, Southampton desperately need a boost, and a victory over Fulham could provide just that.
Fulham, meanwhile, have become tough nuts for the big boys to crack. They drew 2-2 with Liverpool last weekend after holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw the week before. They have also found the net in 15 consecutive league games, highlighting their attacking prowess.
Kamaldeen Sulemana Has Something to Prove
The former Stade Rennes man was only on the pitch for 15 minutes during the thrashing against Tottenham. The Ghanaian has seemingly been low on confidence this season after recovering from an injury.
Related article: Kamaldeen Sulemana Faces Setbacks Amidst Injuries: Salary and Prospects of the Ghanaian Winger
Despite making six league appearances this season, the 22-year-old has only accumulated 64 minutes of playing time. The opportunities have been sparse, and with a new coach on the horizon, this game could make or break his role at the club.
He will be under pressure to deliver a meaningful contribution.
Team News
Fulham’s Reiss Nelson and three other players are out due to injuries, while Southampton will be without five players and await news on the fitness of Aaron Ramsdale, who is recovering from a finger injury.
The Odds
Fulham currently have odds of 1.436 to win, according to 1xbet, while Southampton are at 7.6. A draw is priced at 5.04.
Prediction
The last time Southampton defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League was over a decade ago. Fulham have lost just two of their eight home matches this season. Considering Southampton’s poor form, it should be a relatively straightforward win for Fulham.
Scoreline Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Southampton
