Match Preview
Southampton v Fulham
Premier League Match Day 28 1819 St Mary's Stadium
Wednesday 27th February 2019 KO: 19:45
Referee:
Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
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Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri acknowledged Fulham's trip to Southampton on Wednesday is "crucial" in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Fulham are eight points from safety with 11 games to play and have the second-worst goal difference in the league.
With Chelsea, Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City to play after this match, Fulham desperately need a win to potentially breathe new life into their survival bid.
"This is a crucial match," said Ranieri. "I said many times, every match for us is like a final, and we have to play with this in our minds. Every ball is important. I am confident in my players.
Saints are one place and seven points above Fulham, having lost their previous two matches to Cardiff and Arsenal.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says his side will be hoping to "surprise" Fulham.
"We are in a situation now again where we perhaps don't play beautifully but play for the results and I think we have to come back in this shape.
"We want to put some stress on the opponent and surprise them with what we are doing and that has been our focus in the last two days.
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Southampton are unbeaten in 19 home league matches versus Fulham, dating back to October 1935.
- Three of the past four meetings at St Mary's have ended in draws.
- Fulham's 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture ended their six-game winless streak against Southampton.
- The Cottagers can complete a first ever league double over Saints.
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Fulham have lost seven of their last eight fixtures in all competitions.
- They are the only side yet to win a Premier League away match this season, losing 12 of their 14 games.
- Claudio Ranieri is winless in his last 22 Premier League away matches: 15 for Leicester, seven for Fulham.
- Ranieri has claimed 12 points from 15 league matches as Fulham boss (W3, D3, L9).
- They have conceded 30 first-half goals and 31 in the second half - both are the highest tallies in the division.
- Fulham have lost a league-high 18 points from winning positions, one more than opponents Southampton.
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Saints are winless in four matches, losing their last two.
- Ralph Hasenhuttl has claimed 15 points from a possible 36 as Southampton manager (W4, D3, L5).
- Their only clean sheet in 17 league games came in a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on 2 January.
- Southampton have won just six of their 37 home league matches since April 2017.
- They have lost their last five league games against newly-promoted teams, including all four this term.