Fulham lying 13th in the league and eliminated from all cup competitions may have less to play for than their visitors on Saturday.
In contrast Southampton go into the Loftus Road clash off the back of a morale boosting FA Cup quarter-final win and challenging for a UEFA Cup place. It will be interesting to see whether it is the fired-up Saints or the care-free Cottagers that come out on top on Saturday.
Assistant boss Christian Damiano believes Fulham will come back from their enforced two-week break 'refreshed' for the remainder of the season.
They will have been out of action for a fortnight when they take to the field against the FA Cup semi-finalists on Saturday - their first competitive game since the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on 1 March.
However, Damiano feels the break was much needed, admitting it allowed some players to catch their breath after a lengthy season, which began back in July with the Intertoto Cup.
He said: "We did have some rest last week, but now our schedule is back to normal as we prepare for the Southampton game on Saturday. This two-week break has been good for us, we have been able to do the aerobic work that is fundamental for the physical foundation of the players and at the same time we have been able to do the repetition work that was necessary on the technical side."
The Cottagers have had a quiet build up to the game, preparation that will suit the calm persona of Jean Tigana.
Source: 4thegame
|
Craven Cottage
on Loftus Road
-
Premiership 15 Mar 03 |
Fulham |
Soton |
Div
Avg |
| Games Played |
29 |
29 |
29 |
| GOAL ATTEMPTS |
| Goals |
33 |
30 |
37 |
| Ave Goals Per Game |
1.14 |
1.03 |
1.28 |
| Shots (excluding blocked shots) |
324 |
351 |
319 |
| Ave Shots Per Game |
11 |
12 |
11 |
| Ave Shots on Target Per Game |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| % Shots On Target |
44% |
42% |
43% |
| % Goals To Shots |
10% |
8% |
11% |
| PASSING |
| Short Passes |
7975 |
6576 |
7461 |
| Long Passes |
3554 |
3496 |
3474 |
| Total Passes |
11529 |
10072 |
10935
|
| Ave Passes Per Game |
398 |
347 |
377 |
| % Overall Passes Completed |
71% |
68% |
72% |
Ave passes completed
per game
|
282 |
236 |
271 |
| CROSSING |
| Total Crosses |
637 |
718 |
676 |
| Ave Crosses Per Game |
22 |
25 |
23 |
| Crosses Completed |
26% |
25% |
25% |
Ave cross completion
per game
|
6 |
6 |
6 |
| DEFENDING |
| Goals Conceded |
35 |
28 |
37 |
| Ave Goals Conceded Per Game |
1.21 |
0.97 |
1.28 |
| Tackles |
931 |
766 |
828 |
| Tackles Won % |
74% |
72% |
72% |
Ave tackles completed
per game
|
24 |
19 |
21 |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
1222 |
1331 |
1328 |
| Ave Blocks, etc., Per Game |
42 |
46 |
46 |
| DISCIPLINE |
| Fouls |
423 |
410 |
405 |
| Ave Fouls Per Game |
15 |
14 |
14 |
| Yellow Cards |
45 |
33 |
45 |
| Fouls per yellow |
9 |
12 |
9 |
| Red Cards |
6 |
3 |
3 |
 |
|
Matchday Referee
Paul A Durkin - Portland, Dorset
 Paul Durkin is the grand old man of the Premiership, even though, at 45, he's not technically that old. The Dorset born ref has now turned professional, but previously listed his occupation as 'administrator'.
Durkin has been a Premier League referee since its inception back in 1992, and is one of the most respected amongst managers and players. His handling of 1999/2000's crunch tie between Manchester United and Arsenal drew particular praise, especially when the heated affair drew only one booking.
As you'd expect from one of the veterans, Durkin has been refereeing for some time - starting his career back in 1974 and progressing to the Football League in 1987. Highlights so far have been the 1998 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Newcastle and taking charge of matches during 1998 World Cup Finals in France.
2002-2003
26-01-2003 FA Cup Fulham 3-0 Charlton 3 1
Bookings: Jensen, Konchesky, Young (Charlton) - Fish sent off 86 (Charlton)
28-12-2002 Premier Fulham 0-1 Man City (Cards 1-0)
Bookings: Jensen (Man City)
07-12-2002 Premier Fulham 1-0 Leeds (Cards 7-0)
Bookings: Davis, Legwinski, Wome (Fulham) Bakke, Fowler, Wilcox, Woodgate (Leeds)
23-09-2002 Premier Fulham 0-0 Chelsea (Cards 1-0)
Bookings: Ouaddou (Fulham)
2002/
2003
stats
|
Mr. Durkin's score sheet |
Av Premiership Ref score sheet |
|
Total |
Match
Avg |
Total |
Match
Avg |
| Games |
16 |
|
12 |
|
| Fouls |
409 |
25.56 |
338 |
28.01 |
| Penalties |
2 |
0.13 |
3 |
0.22 |
| Yellows |
39
|
2.44 |
38 |
3.10 |
| Reds |
1 |
0.06 |
2 |
0.19 |
| Fouls per Yellow |
10.5 |
|
9.0 |
|
Mr. Durkin is whistling slightly less and issuing fractionally less yellows than he did last season
Naughty Saints are Chris Marsden(M) with 8 yellows while James Beattie(A) and Wayne Bridge($) have 4. On average Southampton players have been yellow carded every 12th foul in comparison to 9 for Fulham players! |
Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!!!
|
The Saints have dominated the headlines with their cup run. The excitement and energy oozing from the south coast club this season is epitomised by, and largely due to, manager Gordon Strachan.
Saints chairman Rupert Lowe has heaped praise on Strachan, insisting the Scot has proved all his doubters wrong.
Strachan took over at St Mary's following Stuart Gray's sacking early last season and has resurrected the Saints' fortunes, pulling them clear of a relegation battle in their last campaign and now is leading them in the fight for a European place and to a FA Cup semi-final.
Lowe said: "We're moving in the right direction and he has done a tremendous job since he came. Some people said he wasn't the right man for Southampton Football Club but he has proved them wrong and we hope that he will be here for a long time to come."
The fiery Scot is full of enthusiasm and will ensure his players fight to the bitter end. Fulham can expect a highly charged game on Saturday despite The Saints exertions of recent weeks. They will need to match their opponents Saints in every department if they are to get anything from the game.
The reverse of this fixture back in October was a breath-taking affair as James Beattie bagged a hat-trick to complete Southampton's sensational comeback, wiping out Fulham's 2-0 lead and leaving the Cottagers shell-shocked after a 4-2 defeat at St Mary's.
A repeat would be a delight for the neutral and Saints fans alike, but Tigana will want his 'refreshed' players to show a lot more steel and grab the three points needed to take them over the magic '40 point' mark.
Source: 4thegame
| MATCH BETTING ODDS |
For much of this season Southampton have been genuine contenders to claim a place in the UEFA Cup next season. Now with so many clubs chasing a European spot, the Saints best route into Europe may well be via the FA Cup.
Fulham have had the benefit of two weeks rest to recharge the batteries after a ridiculously long season that started back in June. The squad should now be fairly refreshed and with a few players returning from injury will be confident of beating the Saints.
Gordon Strachan will of course demand his players don’t lose their focus in the league with a Cup semi against Watford to look forward to. However, as has been so often in the past clubs still involved in the latter stages of the Cup often slip a little in the league.
Where Southampton may enjoy some success at Loftus Road is from balls crossed in from wide areas. The home side are without their first and second choice keepers and must therefore hand Martin Herrera his full debut.
It wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if James Beattie finds the net at least once with his head. Whether that is enough to force a victory is another matter. A point-a-piece may be the most likely outcome.
Best High Street price for a Fulham win is 6/5 with all except Hills while 71/50is available at the Betfair exchange.
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