Fulham and Southampton meet at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, hoping to progress to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
While the Championship hosts are one division below their Premier League opponents, the form book dictates that a home victory wouldn’t be the greatest of shocks.
Match odds
The Whites are 2/1 (3.0) to record a seventh victory in ten, whilst inflicting on the Saints a fifth loss in seven and a fourth consecutive defeat against London opposition.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s troops are 13/10 (2.3) to show their top-flight pedigree with victory in the capital, having qualified from each of their last four FA Cup ties with second-tier opposition.
Alternatively, a draw is on offer at 12/5 (3.4) and that eventuality has occurred in eight of the last 16 meetings between these sides - including a dramatic 3-3 draw in January 2005.
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Team News
Fulham have a full bill of health while Southampton will be without Charlie Austin due to a hamstring injury and Cedric Soares through an ankle problem.
Midfielders Oliver Norwood and Steven Davis were teammates in Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, but will be in opposing camps this time around.
Back goals for Fulham
Fulham’s attacking output improves by 41% when Tom Cairney starts and the West Londoners have scored 12 in their last four, so the 6/1 (7.0) on them bagging over 2.5 goals appeals.
The south-coast visitors kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford but they have shipped 22 in their last 12 – only Stoke have conceded more in that timeframe – and are 6/5 (2.2) to concede in the first half.
Lights, Kamara, action
Aboubakar Kamara has proved central to recent Fulham goal-fests and the Frenchman is 21/10 (3.1) to score anytime, having grabbed four in his last two.
Lucas Piazon recovered from injury last month and after showing promise in substitute appearances, he may given an opportunity here and is reasonable value at 15/4 (4.75) to bag anytime.
Due to Charlie Austin's lengthy spell on the sidelines, Manolo Gabbiadini is Southampton’s biggest goal threat and the Italian is 7/4 (2.75) to grab his 10th for the club in all competitions.
Tips and Predictions
Our best bet is the 4/1 (5.0) on Fulham to win a game that sees over 2.5 goals.
Southampton are in need of investment, especially in defensive areas, following the completion of Virgil Van Dijk's big-money sale and Pellegrino faces mounting scrutiny from fans.
Slav’s troops, brimming with confidence, are more than capable of taking advantage of the uncertainty in the visiting camp, and so long as a strong team is fielded, the Cottagers look set to continue their own run of impressive goalscoring form by winning a high-scoring encounter.
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Fulham win and Over 2.5 goals 4/1 (5.0) for a 1pt stake with bet365
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