Fulham vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Fresh off their continental excursion, Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they make the short trip across London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Gunners’ title charge gained fresh momentum last weekend as unlikely hero Reiss Nelson struck a last-gasp winner to complete a thrilling second-half comeback over Bournemouth. Arsenal’s triumph re-established their lead over Man City at the summit to five points, and many are starting to believe whether it truly is written in the stars.

But, given City’s history, they must keep winning.

Fulham represent tough opposition for Mikel Arteta’s side. Marco Silva’s doing an excellent job in west London, and they’ve massively overachieved this season. The Cottagers currently lie seventh in the table and have genuine aspirations to play in Europe next season.

Fulham vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s trip to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

How to watch Fulham vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Sunday 12 March

What time is kick-off? 14:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Craven Cottage

TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Premier League (UK), fuboTV (Canada), Peacock (US)

Referee? David Coote

Fulham team news

The Cottagers will once again be without star midfielder Joao Palhinha who will serve the second of his two-game suspension against the Gunners. January arrival Saša Lukić will deputise for the Portuguese international on Sunday.

Two former Goons in Willian and Bernd Leno will line up against their former club, but Arsenal loanee Cedric Soares is ineligible.

Tom Cairney could return from a foot injury, but Layvin Kurzawa and Neeskens Kebano are still absent.

Arsenal team news

Arteta made a whole host of changes to his starting XI on Thursday and he’s expected to revert to the norm on Sunday. Martin Odegaard missed the trip to Lisbon due to illness but should be fine for the weekend’s clash.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus remain on the sidelines, but Eddie Nketiah could return to the matchday squad.

Kieran Tierney is a doubt, but Oleksandr Zinchenko is a sure bet to start at left-back anyway.

Fulham vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Fulham: Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic; Willian, Pereira, Solomon; Mitrovic

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Nelson.

Fulham’s recent form

Brentford 3-2 Fulham (06/03) – Premier League

Fulham 2-0 Leeds Utd (28/02) – FA Cup

Fulham 1-1 Wolves (24/02) – Premier League

Brighton 0-1 Fulham (18/02) – Premier League

Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest (11/02) – Premier League

Arsenal’s recent form

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League

Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth (04/03) – Premier League

Arsenal 4-0 Everton (01/03) – Premier League

Leicester 0-1 Arsenal (25/02) – Premier League

Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal (18/02) – Premier League

Prediction

The absence of Paulinha in Fulham’s midfield is huge and it further tilts the tie in Arsenal’s favour. The Cottagers missed the midfielder at Brentford last Monday, and I suspect his void will be felt harder this weekend.

The Gunners may not have been at their very best as of late, but they’re finding a way and I suspect that will continue on Sunday. Fulham are a good team and capable of troubling the visitors, but Arsenal’s quality will eventually prevail in a slender victory on the road.

It’s also worth noting that, according to Understat, no team in the Premier League has overachieved more this season in terms of expected points compared to actual points than Fulham.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal