Fulham vs Southampton prediction, betting tips and odds: Cottagers can show Juric Saints' flaws

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Where to watch Fulham vs Southampton

You can watch Fulham vs Southampton in the Premier League at 2pm on Sunday, December 22, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League

Match prediction & best bet

Fulham to win & over 2.5 Goals
1pt Evs bet365, BoyleSports

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Fulham vs Southampton odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of Fulham vs Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday, December 22

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Fulham vs Southampton predictions

Will Southampton receive a new-manager bounce at Craven Cottage on Sunday, or will all of their problems be laid bare? 

The Saints waved goodbye to Russell Martin on Sunday, placing Under-21s boss Simon Rusk in interim charge. And after being linked with several hip young managers in Martin's mould, Southampton have plumped for seasoned Croatian Ivan Juric, who has signed an 18-month deal on the south coast and should be in London to see the exact size of the task facing him at St Mary's following the confirmation of his appointment on Saturday evening.

It is Juric's second job of the season after being sacked just 12 games into his reign at Roma, where he was under pressure from the off following the surprise departure of Giallorossi legend Daniele de Rossi.

Strangely, taking over a young squad guaranteed to be bottom of the Premier League at Christmas for the first time in their club's history might be more attractive than what he faced in Rome and it is the type of scenario in which he has previously thrived.

Martin was initially praised but eventually derided for his devotion to playing out from the back. Swap 'playing' for 'building' and you get an idea of his replacement's tactics, with solidity and discipline fundamentals of Juric's style.

The Croatian, 49, has shown in spells at Genoa – three of them – Verona and Torino that he knows how to beat relegation with limited squads.

That's the task at St Mary's and he could do worse than to take a leaf out of Fulham manager Marco Silva's book. The Portuguese gaffer has restored his reputation since his appointment in 2021 by first guiding the Cottagers to promotion and then making the most of his team's talents to establish them as top-flight regulars.

The Cottagers were unlucky not to get more from last Saturday's 2-2 at Liverpool and are unbeaten in four, having impressed in 1-1 draws with Tottenham and Arsenal either side of beating Brighton 3-1 prior to their visit to Anfield.

Losing just one of their last eight, Fulham have also scored in a club-record 15 successive Premier League games.

Those numbers are in stark contrast to a Southampton side who have lost 13 of their 16 league outings but showed signs of encouragement in Wednesday's 2-1 EFL Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Juric's appointment should produce a Saints response as they aim to boost their survival hopes but Silva's Fulham are an excellent outfit and look poised to add another three points to their European push.

Key stat

Southampton have lost 13 of their 16 Premier League games this season.

Fulham vs Southampton team news

Fulham
Calvin Bassey and club captain Tom Cairney are both available after suspension but Andreas Pereira serves a one-match ban. Joachim Anderson has trained this week and could return but Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson and Harrison Reed are sidelined.

Southampton
Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to be available despite a minor knock in the EFL Cup defeat to Liverpool. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is close to returning following a finger injury and should start if fit, while Adam Lallana could make his 300th Premier League appearance.

Probable teams

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Wilson; Jimenez.
Subs: Benda, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Anderson, Cairney, Muniz, Traore.

Southampton (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood; Sugawara, Downes, Fernandes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Armstrong; Archer
Subs: McCarthy, Taylor, Manning, Lallana, Aribo, Brereton Diaz, Onuachu

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Inside info

Fulham

Star man Raul Jimenez
Top scorer Raul Jimenez
Penalty taker Raul Jimenez
Card magnet Sasa Lukic
Assist ace Antonee Robinson
Set-piece aerial threat Issa Diop

Southampton

Star man Tyler Dibling
Top scorer Adam Armstrong
Penalty taker Adam Armstrong
Card magnet Flynn Downes
Assist ace Kyle Walker-Peters
Set-piece aerial threat Jan Bednarek

Fulham vs Southampton bet builder predictions

Raul Jimenez anytime goalscorer
Jimenez has scored five of his 52 Premier League goals against the Saints.

Both teams to score
Both sides have scored in nine of Fulham's last ten Premier League games.

Flynn Downes to be booked
Southampton enforcer Downes has been carded six times this season.

Pays out at 9-1 with bet365

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