Southampton ground out a 0-0 draw at Fulham on Sunday, as new manager Ivan Juric may well have a solid foundation to build on.
WATCH – Full match replay
Juric was only announced as manager yesterday and watched on from the stands as interim boss Simon Rusk was in the dugout. Juric was communicating with the bench and Saints instantly looked more solid defensively after the departure of Russell Martin.
Fulham went close through Harry Wilson, Alex Iwobi and Adama Traore but Aaron Ramsdale was solid on his return from injury. Fulham have 25 points, while Southampton remain bottom on six.
Juric has a platform to build on
Ivan Juric was talking to the Saints bench via a walkie talkie and the message was loud and clear about how he plans to save Southampton. The Croatian coach is all about being solid defensively, aggressive and pressing high. We didn’t see that much pressing on Sunday but he hasn’t been in charge of a training session yet. But we already saw Saints looking more solid and less likely to self-implode like they have for most of this season. Having Aaron Ramsdale back from injury was huge and Saints kept just their second shutout of the season. Fulham had some very decent chances but Ramsdale came up big with a few saves and the next step for Saints under Juric is to have some kind of attacking impetus. They are the lowest goalscorers in the Premier League with just 11 goals after 17 games, but if they can become more solid defensively there’s a small sense of hope they could build some momentum and pick up points to give themselves a chance of staying up.
Fulham vs Southampton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Fulham make the short trip to Chelsea on Boxing Day, while Southampton host West Ham on the same day.
Fulham vs Southampton score: 0-0
Traore slots a shot just wide
Adama Traore thought he had put Fulham 1-0 up late on. But his shot squirms inches wide.
Jimenez and Traore on
Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore are on as Fulham push to take the lead late on.
Ramsdale denies Wilson at the back post
A ball to the back post finds Harry Wilson and he sends a volley on goal which Ramsdale does well to push over. Ramsdale celebrates that save. Why not?
Armstrong forces Leno to save on the break
That is more dangerous from Saints. They break and Armstrong is played in but his shot on goal is saved by Leno.
Archer on at half time for Saints
Youngster Tyler Dibling has been whipped off at half time with Cameron Archer, who scored a beauty in midweek in the League Cup against Liverpool, on in his place. Archer has plenty of pace and will be a threat on the counter.
Half time: Fulham 0-0 Southampton
Fulham definitely had the better chances but Southampton are hanging in there. Ramsdale looks assured and Saints are doing their best to be a threat on the break. Juric will be happy with that first half.
Iwobi goes close twice
Alex Iwobi is denied by Ramsdale and then clips another shot just wide. Ivan Juric is up in the stands sending instructions to the bench on a a walkie talkie. He’s got an intense look on his face.
Fulham lineup
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Cairney, King; Wilson, Munoz, Iwobi
Southampton lineup
Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Downes, Aribo, Fernandes; Armstrong
Fulham team news, focus
Bassey and Cairney are back from suspension which is a boost, while Pereira is out after picking up five yellow cards. Andersen is touch and go to be available at center back so Diop and Bassey could start there again. In attack Jimenez will lead the line with Smith Rowe, Iwobi and Traore likely to support him.
OUT: Joachim Andersen (calf), Andreas Pereira (suspension), Harrison Reed (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring). Kenny Tete (knee)
Southampton team news, focus
Saints will probably go with a 5-4-1 formation to shut things down defensively and then hope to find Cameron Archer on the counter. There’s a chance Aaron Ramsdale could be back in goal as he’s been out for over a month with a fractured finger. The duo of Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana are pushing for starts in attack.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Jack Stephens (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Kyle Walker-Peters (knock)
Fulham vs Southampton prediction
This should be a straightforward home win as Fulham’s attacking options will surely overwhelm Southampton. That said, Saints will play totally different to their previous open, possession-based style and will make things tougher. Fulham 2-1 Southampton.
Fulham vs Southampton preview
The fact Fulham will feel slightly disappointed to only draw 2-2 at Liverpool last weekend shows you how far they’ve come this season. They played against 10 players for a large chunk of that game and created big chances but couldn’t put the game away. Still, Fulham are on a great run and have only last one of their last eight games and sit on 24 points, just four points off the top four.
Southampton are without a manager after Russell Martin was sacked following the 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham last Sunday. But Croatian coach Ivan Juric has officially taken charge and he has a high-pressing, defensive approach which is totally opposite to Martin. Interim boss Simon Rusk will be in the dugout at Fulham again and did oversee a spirited 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, so there’s something to build on as Saints try and stay solid and give themselves a fighting chance of staying up. They’re bottom of the table and nine points adrift from safety and badly need a couple of big results over the festive period just to keep themselves within touching distance of safety.
How to watch Fulham vs Southampton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (December 22)
Venue: Craven Cottage — London
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
