Southampton v Fulham predictions: Saints can deal Fulham another blow

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Southampton v Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Southampton
2pts 11-10 Betfair, Betfred, Coral

Team news

Southampton
Ryan Bertrand and Oriol Romeu are still out. Jan Bednarek is a major doubt.

Fulham
Saints loanee Mario Lemina can't play. Terence Kongolo is out, Tom Cairney a doubt but Harrison Reed has recovered from an ankle injury.

Match preview

Punch-drunk Fulham's suffering is almost over but not before Southampton land another blow or two at St Mary's.

Pyrrhic victories are all Fulham can now aspire to over the remaining days of a largely dreadful season which effectively ended on Monday when they were condemned to the drop.

But with the cutting edge of a child's toy, the impotent Cottagers are hard to fancy, even at Southampton, who have had their own share of troubles this term.

The league table says there are 13 points between these sides, although in reality the gulf is a good deal wider than that, and Southampton look a good bet to land all three points.

The hosts have plenty that Fulham lack, and top of the list is a goalscorer, indeed a front two. If Che Adams doesn't get the goals Danny Ings does but it's a pairing which looks a threat whenever the two of them are fit.

Ings has scored four in his last four while Aleksandr Mitrovic has scored three all season. Fulham as a team have managed to score only six times in their last 12 matches and their chess-board approach to attacking simply doesn't cut the mustard at the top level.

They are without a win in seven and have scored only two goals from open play in their last seven.

Whether the heart has gone out of them remains to be seen, but regardless of attitude they just don't look good enough. Saints looked decent in their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday, are a better team and are priced nicely enough here.

Key stat

Fulham have scored six goals in their last 12 and not more than once in any of those games.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport