Fulham vs Southampton Prediction: 22/12/2024

Fulham, currently 8th in the Premier League and just one point behind 6th place, remains in contention for a European spot this season. The team has shown resilience, with only one loss in their last eight league games, which includes three wins and four draws. Their only defeat was an unexpected 1-4 loss to struggling Wolverhampton, but they quickly responded by drawing 1-1 with Tottenham and defeating Brighton 3-1. Fulham also earned draws against top teams Arsenal (1-1) and Liverpool (2-2) last weekend.

In contrast, Southampton is having a challenging season, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League with just five points from 16 games. They are nine points away from safety, and their chances of avoiding relegation are slim. Their only win this season came against Everton in early November (1-0), but since then, they have only managed one draw and suffered five losses, including heavy defeats to Chelsea (1-5), Aston Villa (0-1), and Tottenham (0-5). The latter loss led to the firing of manager Russell Martin.

Fulham will be missing some key players for this match, including defender Andersen, winger Nelson, and midfielder Reed. Cairney is also suspended, but they will be bolstered by the return of defender Bassey. Striker Rodrigo Muniz, who scored in the last match, is expected to remain on the bench, with Raul Jimenez likely starting. Winger Iwobi and playmaker Andreas Pereira are available.

Southampton also faces absences, including goalkeepers Ramsdale and Bazunu, as well as long-term injuries to Larios and Smallbone. They will also be without striker Stewart, although captain Stephens has returned from suspension. Southampton has struggled with both their attack, which is the worst in the league, and their defense, ranked 19th.

Prediction

In terms of recent form, Southampton has been poor on the road, earning just one point from a possible 17 and being outscored 12-3. Fulham, with 12 wins in their last 18 home matches, will likely capitalize on Southampton’s struggles. The prediction is a 2-0 win for Fulham.