Southampton vs Fulham prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-05-12 14:00.
Southampton’s battle to preserve their Premier League (PL) status looks to be a losing one after a 4-3 defeat to Nottingham Forest last Monday made it ten games without a victory (D3, L7), meaning they enter this round eight points off safety with three to play. Even a win here will likely only prolong the inevitable, but defeat here against Fulham will confirm their demotion.
That would see the Saints’ 11-year stay in the PL come to an end with only their third ever relegation from the top-flight, something their visitors know all too well having faced the drop three times in the last nine seasons alone. It would be as good a time as ever to make use of their favourable home record against Fulham where they’ve only lost two of their last 33 home H2Hs, with a win officially keeping any flickering hopes alive for at least a day.
Fulham did get the better of their hosts in the reverse fixture which they won 2-1, setting themselves up for what could be their first ever league-double over Southampton. That’s about all the Cottagers have left to play this season, although they’ll be keen to secure a top-half PL finish for the first time since 2011/12.
A win here would also see Fulham post their 15th win of the league season, which would be their highest-ever tally in a PL campaign. Marco Silva’s men will need to improve on their travels if they want that accolade here and now, having lost five of their last six away assignments (W1).
Players to watch: Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse had a rollercoaster game in the reverse fixture, scoring a goal and an own-goal in what was his first ever defeat against Fulham in seven matches (W5, D1). Meanwhile, Fulham’s Willian scored both his goals in the correct net when bagging a brace last time out against Leicester, and will be keen to build on that form here and stay undefeated at St Mary’s Stadium in the PL (W7, D1).
Hot stat: No team has conceded first more often this PL season than Southampton’s tally of 25.