Southampton vs Fulham preview: Prediction, team news and lineups

FanSided World Football

·25 avril 2025

Southampton vs Fulham preview: Prediction, team news and lineups

This will be Fulham's 39th visit to Southampton, first doing so 121 years ago, but they're seeking to win back-to-back trips for the very first time.

Can Fulham keep their European hopes alive? When the Whites beat champions-elect Liverpool 20 days ago, supporters were dreaming of a first European tour since 2011. However, since then, Marco Silva's side have lost back-to-back games, beaten by direct rivals Bournemouth and then fierce local rivals Chelsea.

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Last Sunday, despite taking the lead through Alex Iwobi, they were beaten 2-1 at Craven Cottage, with Chelsea equalising in the 83rd minute, before snatching victory in injury time.

Southampton vs Fulham preview

These defeats leaves the Cottagers ninth, just a point below Bournemouth, the current occupants on the final potential European position. Thus, with games against Aston Villa, Everton, Brentford and Man City to conclude the campaign, this trip to the South Coast feels simply must win for Fulham.

As for Southampton, their supporters enjoyed last weekend because, for once, they did not lose. A week ago, Lesley Ugochukwu's late strike saw the Saints snatch a point against West Ham at the London Stadium. This took their points tally to 11, matching that achieved by the worst Premier League team ever, namely Derby County from 2007/08.

With Simon Rusk still in interim charge, the Saints will be seeking just a third win of the season, while next Saturday's trip to Leicester, who are also already relegated, offers them a great chance to do so too. Here, can Southampton derail Fulham's European dreams?

Southampton vs Fulham head-to-head record

Matches Played: 80.

Southampton Wins: 30. Draws: 26. Fulham Wins: 24.

Southampton team news

After an improved showing last weekend, there's little reason for Simon Rusk to change much. Thus, the highly-rated Tyler Dibling could continue to be on the bench, with Kamaldeen Sulemana once again supporting Paul Onuachu in attack.

Southampton predicted lineup vs Fulham: (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Sulemana; Onuachu.

Southampton players to watch vs Fulham

Aaron Ramsdale has kept just two clean sheets in the Premier League this season, one of which came at Craven Cottage in December, so can he repeat that feat on Saturday?

Fulham team news

Marco Silva was pleased to welcome Kenny Tete back into the team last weekend, starting for the first time since 14 December following a knee injury, so will get the nod over Timothy Castagne again.

Elsewhere, Emile Smith Rowe could be back, after sitting out last Sunday's West London derby due to a knock, while Raúl Jiménez is expected to start over Rodrigo Muniz in attack. Lastly, in a boost, Harry Wilson came off the bench against Chelsea, featuring for the first time since 26 January due to a broken foot.

Fulham player to watch vs Southampton

Raúl Jiménez has 12 goals to his name this season, while he's previously netted five times against Southampton, only on target against West Ham more frequently, three of which have come at St Mary's.

Southampton vs Fulham prediction

We are fully backing Fulham to win this one because, well, they are playing Southampton, so the Cottagers should simply have far too much quality: Southampton 0-2 Fulham.