Southampton vs Fulham preview: Relegation rivals meet at St Mary's

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.

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"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.

"I hope we do something good to achieve a good result."

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Saints are one place and seven points above Fulham, having lost their previous two matches to Cardiff and Arsenal.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says his side will be hoping to "surprise" Fulham.

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"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.

Team news

Southampton will be without striker Michael Obafemi, who is set to miss the rest of the season after a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

The 18-year-old Republic of Ireland international had just returned to action as a substitute against Arsenal on Sunday, but is now facing a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.

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Hasenhuttl confirmed striker Danny Ings (hamstring) was not yet ready to come into contention, while midfielder Mario Lemina (abdominal) also continues his recovery.

Fulham manager Ranieri reported no fresh injury problems. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Lazar Markovic both came on for the second half of the 3-1 defeat at West Ham, so could be in contention to start.

Defender Alfie Mawson continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Opta stats

• Southampton are unbeaten in their last 19 home league games against Fulham (W13 D6) since a 1-2 loss in October 1935 (second tier). Only against Coventry (22 games) have they ever had a longer unbeaten home run in their league history.
• Despite this being the 30th different league season in which they've faced, Fulham are looking to do the league double over Southampton for the very first time.
• Since winning their first Premier League match at St Mary's under Ralph Hasenhuttl against Arsenal, Southampton have won just one of their subsequent five (W1 D1 L3).
• Since Claudio Ranieri's first Premier League match in charge of Fulham, only Bournemouth (32) have conceded more goals than the Cottagers (30).
• Among the 17 teams to have featured in each of the last two Premier League seasons, Southampton have won fewer home games than any other side in that time (6 in 32 games).
• Claudio Ranieri is winless in 22 away Premier League games (15 for Leicester, 7 for Fulham). The last manager to have a longer winless run was Iain Dowie (23 games between November 2004 and May 2010).

Merson's prediction

This is a cup final, the biggest game of the midweek. Fulham are virtually down, I don't give them much chance, but with Saints' games coming up if they don't win this they're in major trouble.

Southampton simply have to win, and I'm going for a very, very nervy football match.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)

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