Fulham vs Southampton Predictions

• Both teams have scored in nine of Fulham’s last ten games in all compeititons
• Only Crystal Palace have drawn more games in the Premier League than Fulham’s six
• Four of Fulham’s last six Premier League home games have gone over 3.5 goals

Saints struggling on

Southampton have had a disastrous season but there were definite positives from their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Russell Martin was relieved of his duties as Saints manager after their 5-0 hammering at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday but caretaker manager Simon Rusk seemed to get a reaction from the players against the Reds, with Cameron Archer’s fine finish reducing the deficit and Southampton looking increasingly dangerous in the closing stages.

The referee’s decision not to give a foul for Jarell Quansah’s late wrestling match with Matheus Fernandes could have seen the Liverpool defender sent off on another day and would have had his side clinging on to end the cup quarter-final.

Many of Southampton’s issues this season have been self inflicted, they lead the league in errors leading to goals with 11 as Russell Martin’s playing out from the back style failed to transition to the top flight and more often than not did more harm than good.

Fulham in good form

Rusk’s immediate plan must be to tighten up at the back while the wait for a new boss to be appointed goes on.

They are likely to face Fulham on Sunday with the caretaker still in the dugout and they could cause the Cottagers some problems.

Marco Silva’s men have had a very solid start to the season and are just three points behind Manchester City as a result.

Wins over Newcastle, Brighton and Nottingham Forest have been a big justification of their direction of travel under the former Everton boss and they have lost just four league games, only the top three have fallen to defeat less times. 

They have been fairly open at the back however and both teams have found the net in nine of the home team’s last ten in all competitions.

Given Southampton have conceded 36 times in 16 games this game is also fancied to go over the total.

Take both teams to score and over 2.5 goals.

Saints may spring a small surprise

If the visitors can sustain the improvement they showed against Liverpool they could keep themselves in this game and only Crystal Palace have drawn more games than Fulham’s six in the Premier League this term. Correct score backers should consider an entertaining 2-2 stalemate as a result.

Tyler Dibling has been one of the bright spots in this Southampton team and he has registered a shot on target in three of his last four games so could be worth taking to find the net.