Southampton achieved Premier League safety this week while Fulham were relegated back to the EFL Championship. With three matches left on the calendar, neither side have anything to play for and the pressure is off their shoulders.
The Saints go into the matchday 36 fixture in 14th place and could move up one spot into 13th with a victory. However, just two of Southampton’s last six games in the league ended with a victory.
👀 @Prowsey16 🔥 @CheAdams_ 🤤 @IngsDanny A perfectly executed #SaintsFC move 👌 pic.twitter.com/HLCbMhcWuR— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 12, 2021
👀 @Prowsey16 🔥 @CheAdams_ 🤤 @IngsDanny A perfectly executed #SaintsFC move 👌 pic.twitter.com/HLCbMhcWuR
Fulham are on a two-match losing streak in the Premier League. Their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley last week resulted in relegation to the Championship.
The Cottagers have failed to score in their last two matches in the league and could find it difficult to get goals versus Southampton.
The teams played out a bore nil-nil draw earlier this season at Craven Cottage. Neither side created much. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will aim for the team to get points down the stretch to set the team up well for next season.
Nine of the last 10 meetings between Southampton and Fulham ended without defeat for Hasenhuttl’s team in all competitions. That includes five victories.
Hasenhuttl got striker Danny Ings back from injury for the team’s game against Crystal Palace on matchday 35. Ings scored twice against the Eagles to send them to victory. Four players could miss out on the game for the manager, however.
Full-back Ryan Bertrand is ruled out with a calf injury. William Smallbone is nursing an ACL injury and won’t be back until next season. Midfielder Oriol Romelu is nearing full fitness following an ankle injury but is still a doubt. Defender Jan Bednarek could also miss out with an injury.
Scott Parker is still likely to be without midfielder Tom Cairney. He is recovering from a knee injury. Terence Kongolo is ruled out of the fixture with a knee issue as well. Harrison Reed could make the squad after missing a few days of training.
Southampton are unbeaten in three straight matches at home. They have taken a total of 24 points from 51 at St. Mary’s this season. Fulham, on the other hand, have failed to win three straight road games. They have taken 17 points from 51 available away from craven cottage.
Saturday’s game could follow a similar trajectory as the reverse fixture, which ended nil-nil. This time around the teams could both get on the scoresheet with the game ending with under 2.5 goals.