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Additional reporting by Jacob Tanswell
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton arrive in London on Boxing Day in fairly good nick. Their last 12 games have brought seven wins and three draws. Only the Manchester clubs have beaten them. They have also won their last nine fixtures over promoted clubs.
Although they lie in seventh place, they are only three points behind Leicester in second. Contrasted with the 17 point gap over second bottom West Brom, it is clear how deserved and confirmed the Saints are as a top of the table side these days.
One place above West Brom are their next opponents Fulham. The Cottagers have only lost one out of their last five, like their guests to Manchester City, and have drawn the other three since that shock win at Leicester which they had hoped would kick start their season.
Draws at Newcastle and home to Liverpool are fine, but the 0-0 draw at home to Brighton was poor and did not even have the saving grace of a good performance. Leading against Newcastle and Liverpool, two conceded penalties cost them four points. Both were dubious but that doesn’t even merit an asterisk in the league table which still shows just ten points from 14 games.
At some point Scott Parker’s men have to turn praiseworthy performances into wins.
Against Liverpool and Newcastle, Ademola Lookman had caused problems partnered by Ivan Cavaleiro and Tom Cairney respectively. Antoinee Robinson is improving in confidence with ever game. Mario Lemina showed well at Newcastle although is ineligible against his host club.
The entire back line was outstanding against Liverpool until Andre Marriner had had enough and awarded the Champions their penalty.
Fulham are improving but with 14 out of 38 games played, they cannot afford to wait too much longer to be returning to the dressing room with three rather than one point. Their guests are masters of that art these days
So far the Cottagers have been lucky that the other sides at the bottom have also been unsuccessful but Burnley’s up turn in results has signalled the removal of that safety net.
If that should cause some anxiety for Parker, his opposite number has good reason to be bouncy.
Jacob Tanswell is Prost International’s Southampton correspondent. He assessed the club’s status ahead of the match in London:
“In a Premier League where most teams are currently walking with a limp or running on empty, effervescent Southampton have offered a refreshing cocktail to these uncertain, laboured times.
Since the resumption of football in June, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s pressing-frenzied side have proven the collective far outweighs the talent of an individual, with a bonafide spirit that gives it their all in every single game.
While chinks in the armour are beginning to emerge due to injuries to key players such as Jannik Vestergaard and Danny Ings, there can be little reason to suggest Southampton cannot overcome the challenging Christmas schedule.
It is a testament to the south coast outfit that teams have recently been adjusting their own methods to cope with Saints’ high-octane system.
Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are a side that might not always win but are sure to give it their best go at it.”
TEAM NEWS AND INJURY REPORT
Ivan Cavaleiro missed the game at Newcastle with a thigh knock but Fulham fans have cause to be optimistic he’ll be available to partner Lookman again. Kenny Tete is still rehabilitating.
The good news is that Joachim Andersen will be available despite his red card at Newcastle which has been overturned. The Dane was dismissed by referee Graham Scott who judged he had fouled Callum Wilson in the penalty area.
At the time, Parker claimed the initial contact happened outside the penalty area and accused Wilson of diving. Vindicated or not by the subsequent decision, it still cost Parker two points.
Hasenhuttl has more injury issues than his counterpart.
Jannik Vestergaard, Nathan Redmond and Danny Ings all face late fitness tests. Oriol Romeu is suspended. Stuart Armstrong’s wrist injury should not prevent him starting. Ibrahima Diallo is in line for his first start as a result.
HIGH STAKES AS RIVALS FACE TRICKY TRIPS
The potential rewards are high for both sides.
A Fulham win will temporarily lift themselves out of the relegation zone as Brighton and Burnley don’t play until Sunday. Both are away, the Seagulls at West Ham and Burnley face a war of the Roses match in Yorkshire at Leeds.
Tantalisingly, Fulham can move within a point of Arsenal who have an awkward meeting with a third London side, Chelsea.
A Saints win however would see them overtake Tottenham Hotspur who also play on Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers. They could also overtake Manchester United and less realistically Everton who visit Leicester and Sheffield United respectively.
Mario Lemina played for Saints on their last league visit to Craven Cottage
Photo: transfermarkt
HISTORY
Southampton lead the historic series 29-22 with 24 draws. That lead has been bolstered by recent results.
The Saints have won five of their last six clashes in all competitions, although the Cottagers did win the last league fixture at Craven Cottage 3-2 back in the 2018-19 Premier League season. Aleksandr Mitrovic and Stuart Armstrong scored twice each but Andreas Schurrle’s goal made the difference in Claudio Ranieri’s first match as Fulham manager
Of the Fulham starting XI that day, only Mitrovic and Cairney have any likelihood of being in Saturday’s starting XI.
One man who will support Fulham from the stands though is Lemina who started that day – for Southampton! As a loan player from the south coast club, he is ineligible to play. Harrison Reed is his likely replacement at holding midfield.
OFFICIALS
Saturday’s referee is Darren England, aided by Mark Scholes and Sian Massey-Ellis on the lines. Jonathan Moss will watch VAR. Fulham will be hoping he doesn’t decide their fate this time.
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