Premier League | Gameweek 17

Dec 22, 2024 at 2pm UK

Craven Cottage

Fulham vs.Southampton

Match preview

Barring any unforeseen last-minute paperwork, former Roma and Torino head coach Juric is set to be sworn in as Southampton's new manager within hours, with the Saints desperate to have him in the dugout for the visit of the Cottagers.

Juric, whose short-lived spell in charge of Roma left much to be desired, takes over from Russell Martin after an embarrassing 5-0 thrashing at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, with all five goals scored before half-time to condemn the former Saints boss to his inevitable fate.

A Southampton side under the temporary tutelage of Simon Rusk were only beaten 2-1 by EFL Cup holders Liverpool in Wednesday's quarter-final, but that was another blot on their 2024-25 report card, which now reads six defeats and a draw from their last seven games.

Juric could do worse than turn to survival specialist Sam Allardyce for relegation inspiration, with 20th-placed Southampton nine points adrift of safety and set to spend Christmas in the bottom three for the first time since 1992.

Only Brentford have managed just one point away from home in the top flight this season, although the Bees' dismal away record is offset by their league-high home tally, and Southampton have not won a Premier League away game since February 2023.

Such statistics underline just how difficult Juric's great escape mission will be, but while Southampton welcome a new man into the St Mary's offices, Silva could not be more settled in the Fulham chair as the Cottagers look to improve their European credentials.

The Toffees had a golden opportunity to deny Liverpool their title aspirations at Anfield when Andy Robertson was sent off in the first half, but Fulham failed to hold on to two one-goal leads against Arne Slot's 10-man side and conceded a late equaliser to the ever-clinical Diogo Jota.

Regardless, taking points from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the last four weeks is a commendable feat for a Fulham side currently eighth in the table, but such is the tightness of the table that the Cottagers could spend December 25 as high as fifth or as low as 13th.

Clean sheets are still hard to come by for the Cottagers, who have kept just one in their last 10 games, but no team in the Premier League is scoring at a higher rate than Fulham, who have found the net in each of their last 15 top-flight encounters.

Silva's side also helped condemn Southampton to the drop in 2022-23, completing the double with a 2-1 home and 2-0 away win over a Saints side who had won just one of 11 meetings between 2005 and 2021.

Recent Performance

Fulham Premier League form:WLDWDD

Southampton Premier League form:LLDLLL

Southampton form (all competitions):LDLLLL

Team News

Confirmation of Juric's arrival and whether he will take charge of the side has yet to be confirmed, but Southampton's line-up this weekend is unlikely to differ too much from the Croatian's philosophy, as he was an advocate of playing three centre-backs during his time in Serie A.

However, Jack Stephens will not be among the defenders in contention as he serves the last of a four-match ban, while Will Smallbone (thigh), Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Ross Stewart (calf) are also definitely out.

On the brighter side, Aaron Ramsdale could make his comeback from a finger injury on Sunday, where he will no doubt replace Alex McCarthy if he is fit enough, and Kyle Walker-Peters is likely to return after missing the Liverpool defeat with a knock.

Fulham, meanwhile, will be without playmaker Andreas Pereira, who was booked in the ninth minute against Liverpool and was fortunate not to see red for a poor tackle on Ryan Gravenberch.

While Pereira will watch on helplessly, Calvin Bassey and Tom Cairney have returned from their own suspensions, while Joachim Andersen (calf) is also expected to be fit enough to play.

On the negative side, Kenny Tete will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks with the knee injury he sustained at Anfield, joining Reiss Nelson (thigh) and Harrison Reed (knee) in the treatment room.

Possible starting lineup

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Archer