Big match facts from BBCSport
FULHAM against Southampton pits two sides who have drawn one and lost three of their last four Premiership matches. Both were successful in the Carling Cup midweek, with Fulham's reward for winning at Boston being a trip to Birmingham in the third round.
- The Cottagers seem have courted controversy in their last two League outings - home to Arsenal (0-3 loss), and away to West Brom (1-1 draw). Chris Coleman, who selects a Fulham side for League action for the 50th time, will want all three points as the Thames-side club have recorded their worst ever start to a Premiership season, and should be seeking a marked improvement in on-field discipline after two red cards and 11 yellow from this top flight campaign.
- Louis Saha scored both goals in Fulham's 2-0 victory in this corresponding fixture on Boxing Day last year. They were Saha's last but one Premiership goals for the Cottagers before signing for Manchester United.
- Chris Coleman's record in 49 Premiership matches since originally appointed caretaker manager is won 18, lost 18, drawn 13.
- Victory would take Fulham past the 150 all-time Premiership points mark (149 at present).
- Last season Fulham accrued 14 points after the first seven games. Their lowest previous total after the first seven outings of a Premiership season was seven in their first campaign at this level in 2001/02.
- Of 11 goals conceded, four have been shipped in the middle 15 minutes of the first half of Premiership games, and four in the middle quarter-hour of the second half.
- One of three clubs whose players have received two red cards in Premiership games this season - the others are Blackburn and Everton.
- If he keeps goal, Edwin VAN DER SAR will become the 10th Dutchman to complete 100 Premiership appearances.
- Should he figure, Collins JOHN will make his 50th career league appearance in Europe. He played 35 matches for FC Twente, scoring 11 goals, and has so far appeared 14 times for the Cottagers and netted five times.
- If on the field at kick off, Sylvain LEGWINSKI will be making his 100th Premiership start for Fulham.
- If involved from the opening whistle, Mark PEMBRIDGE will be making his 350th career League start.
- If he plays, Moritz VOLZ will be making his 50th English League appearance.
- Highest achievable by the end of Saturday: 9th
- Lowest could fall: 18th
SOUTHAMPTON have never won a top flight match on Fulham turf.
- They are still seeking their first League victory under Steve Wigley, although Wednesday's 0-3 success at Northampton in the Carling Cup will have lifted the gloom somewhat, with a home tie against Colchester to come. But in the Premiership, Saints have scored just one goal and gained one point from three away games this season.
- The Solent side failed to score in either Premiership fixtures against Fulham last season. Their only win at the Thames-side club in 16 visits spanning 68 years was 0-2 in the original League - Division Two on 11 October 1947.
- The 3-2 win over Blackburn on 21 August is Southampton's only League maximum this season, and only win in 11 Premiership matches.
- Lost two and drawn one in the Premiership since Steve Wigley took the reigns from Paul Sturrock, added to the two defeats when Wigley was in caretaker charge before Sturrock's arrival.
- Scored the quickest top flight goal this season - James Beattie after 12 seconds against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 28 August.
- Conceded more than a single goal in all but two of the last 11 League matches.
- Managed one clean sheet in 14 top League encounters.
- Not won away in the highest League this season (one draw, two defeats).
- Drawn one and lost four on their Premiership travels since winning 1-3 at Manchester City on 17 April.
- Not yet leaked a goal in the last 15 minutes of a Premiership game.
- Highest achievable by the end of Saturday: 11th
- Lowest could fall: BOTTOM
|
|
| OPTA Stats from Premiership games |
| |
Fulham |
Soton |
+/- |
| Games Played |
5 |
5 |
0 |
| |
| Goal Attempts
|
| Goals |
7 |
6 |
1 |
| Ave Goals per game |
1.17 |
1.00 |
|
| Shots (excl blocked shots) |
76 |
66 |
10 |
| Ave Shots per game |
13 |
11 |
2 |
| % Shots on Target |
42% |
41% |
|
| % Goals to Shots |
9% |
9% |
|
|
|
| Passing
|
| Short Passes |
1244 |
1157 |
87 |
| Long Passes |
657 |
736 |
-79 |
| Total Passes |
1901 |
1893 |
8 |
| Ave Passes per game |
317 |
316 |
1 |
| Overall Pass Completion % |
71% |
67% |
|
|
|
| Crossing
|
| Total Crosses |
128 |
161 |
-33 |
| Ave Crosses per game |
38 |
42 |
-3 |
| Cross Completion % |
30% |
26% |
|
|
|
| Defending
|
| Goals Conceded |
11 |
10 |
1 |
| Ave goals conceded per game |
1.83 |
1.67 |
|
| Tackles |
197 |
161 |
36 |
| Ave Tackles per game |
33 |
27 |
6 |
| Tackles Won % |
71% |
73% |
|
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions |
237 |
236 |
1 |
| Ave Blocks etc., per game |
40 |
39 |
0 |
|
|
| Discipline
|
| Fouls |
74 |
79 |
-5 |
| Yellow Cards |
11 |
6 |
5 |
| Fouls per Yellow Card |
6.73 |
13 |
|
| Red Cards |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| |
SkySport by Adam Marshall  |
| HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS |
| |
Fulham |
Draw |
Soton |
| League |
15 |
16 |
21 |
| Premier |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
| HEAD TO HEAD at Fulham |
| |
Fulham |
Draw |
Soton |
| League |
14 |
10 |
2 |
| Premier |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
LAST CORRESPONDING GAME - 26 Dec 2003
Fulham 2-0 Southampton |
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