Fulham look to avoid a fifth-round cupset at home to Southampton in the 2025-26 FA Cup.
Victory would see Fulham reach the Quarter-Finals for the third time in four seasons, and mark their first pair of consecutive Quarter-Final appearances since 2008-09 & 09-10 seasons.
Southampton meanwhile are looking to secure a first Quarter-Final appearance since the 2021-22 season.
Team News
Fulham have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-0 Premier League loss at home to West Ham on Wednesday evening.
Harry Wilson (ankle) could return if he passes late fitness checks, but Kevin (metatarsal) is still ruled out.
Southampton will welcome Ross Stewart back into contention after the forward missed their 3-1 Championship win at Sheffield Wednesday, due to a minor muscle injury.
Jay Robinson (quad) and Welington (muscle) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Fulham host Southampton at Craven Cottage on Sunday 8 March at 12pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Fulham have won one of three previous FA Cup ties against Southampton (W1, L2), which came in a third-round replay at home in January 1999 after a 1-1 away draw.
- Southampton have won two of their three previous FA Cup visits to Fulham (W2, L1), with their sole loss having been in the third-round replay in 1998-99 edition.
- Fulham have won just one of four total meetings against Southampton in the FA Cup across their three previous ties (W1, D1, L2).
- Marco Silva’s Cottagers have come from behind to win their two FA Cup ties so far this season against Middlesbrough and Stoke respectively, with Kevin having scored in both matches.
- Excluding matches played on neutral territory, Southampton have won three of their last five FA Cup trips to Premier League opposition (W3, L2).
Prediction
Having missed an opportunity to cut the gap in the race for seventh in the league with a wasteful loss against West Ham, Fulham have to reset and return to their clinical energetic ways because this cup is a strong avenue into Europe if they take this seriously.
Southampton meanwhile are riding high in confidence with no defeats in their last nine matches in all competitions, which saw them comfortably dispatch QPR and Sheffield Wednesday in their last two outings but this a chance to test themselves against stronger opposition.
Although some might think that this is a free hit for the Saints, their priority is surely on the race for the last Championship Play-Offs spot, whereas Fulham ideally need to take this competition seriously in case they have a chance to qualify for Europe by winning the title.
On that note, I expect this to be a closely-fought battle but Fulham realistically should edge this if they turn up with the right attitude.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Southampton
Result: Fulham 0-1 Southampton