Stan James price Southampton at 9/5 whilst Betfred top the market on Fulham, giving them slight favouritism at 7/4. Neither side have registered a draw this season, that's widely 12/5 including Bet365.

 

Glancing at the TV listings, a few can be forgiven for not having the TV on during lunch, but cut beneath the crust of this seemingly bland fixture and you find a recipe of awful defending and free scoring; bang that in the oven for 90 minutes and you're eating goals.

 

Nigel Adkins is getting closer to Mark Hughes at the top of the sack race table and conceding 18 goals so far it's easy to see why. Already squandering nine points from winning positions, Southampton are quickly becoming the new Blackpool. Everyone loves the side that fights and scores and loses with valour, but much like Blackpool, Saints could find themselves a division lower for all their fan-pleasing efforts. Given their tendency to open the scoring and still lose, the first scorer markets look more appealing for the hosts: goal machine Rickie Lambert is sixes and the impressive Gaston Ramirez is as tasty as nines at Coral.

 

Fulham have worked hard to build their reputation as poor travellers, but even without the majestic Dimitar Berbatov the away side would be disappointed with a point or less. It's hard to see Fulham changing the XI that nearly got something from the champions last weekend, so if you like Fulham to score first, Rodallega, Petric and Bryan Ruiz are your attacking options.

 

Whilst some may see this game as an appetiser for the Man United–Newcastle main course, this fixture could relegate the latter to dessert. All bar one of Southampton's league fixtures this year have resulted in over 3.5 goals, and all six of the visitors games have had over 2.5 goals. Let's hope some appetite is saved for the late game.

 

Over 3.5 goals @ 15/8 with Paddy Power

 

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