Two of the Premier League’s in-form sides face off Sunday as Arsenal journey to west London to face a Fulham facet solely three locations behind them within the desk. The Cottagers’ 3-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday, a 3rd of their final 5 matches, despatched them rising as much as sixth they usually head into a difficult run of video games in good kind.
Arsenal, in the meantime, have gained every of their final three league video games and could have their eyes firmly set on Liverpool on the prime of the desk. Equally, this will likely be fairly the chance for revenge; the 5 factors Fulham price Arsenal final season have been the second most of any membership within the prime flight, a 2-1 defeat on New Yr’s Day one in every of simply 4 top-flight defeats Mikel Arteta’s facet have suffered in 2024.
Viewing info
- Date: Sunday, December 8 | Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Location: Craven Cottage — London
- Dwell stream: Peacock
- Odds: Fulham +450; Draw +320; Arsenal -167
Group information
Fulham: Joachim Andersen and Harrison Reed are nonetheless out with accidents whereas Tom Cairney is serving the second of a three-game ban picked up in opposition to Tottenham. Reiss Nelson would have been ineligible to play in opposition to his father or mother membership anyway however the hamstring damage he suffered in opposition to Brighton is anticipated to sideline him for subsequent Saturday’s assembly with Liverpool too. Given the tight turnaround from Thursday night time count on Marco Silva to shuffle his pack in superior areas, with Adama Traore primed to come back in and Emile Smith Rowe vying with Andreas Pereira to play in opposition to his former membership.
“It is not one of the best state of affairs,” Silva mentioned of the Thursday to Sunday schedule, “it is not going to be an excuse for us. Sure, Arsenal goes to be extra rested by 24 hours than us. If I am within the reverse facet I’ll say you might have a small benefit in that scenario as a result of you’ll begin the sport lower than 72 hours from the final night time recreation however it’s what it’s.”
Potential Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge, Smith Rowe; Traore, Jimenez, Iwobi
Arsenal: Each Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori missed the win in opposition to Manchester United however Arteta hinted afterward that he may have gambled on the previous’s health if he felt compelled to. Each educated away from the primary crew on Friday with their supervisor saying: “Till we see tomorrow’s coaching session it’s totally tough to say one thing. Let’s have a look at how they evolve within the subsequent few days.”
Past these two and long-term absentees Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu it might seem like a match squad. Whether or not Arteta feels compelled to rotate with an eye fixed on the go to of Monaco on Wednesday stays to be seen. Actually, the Arsenal boss has proven extra willingness to try this of late with 17 gamers getting no less than 100 minutes throughout the final 4 video games.
Potential Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Prediction
Arsenal will really feel they’ve a degree to show to Fulham. Anticipate them to take action. PICK: Fulham 0, Arsenal 2
