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Fulham vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- Arsenal take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in final game of 2023
- Gunners have won just one of last five in all competitions
- Fulham have lost their last three Premier League games
Having won just one of their last five games in all competitions, Arsenal must wrap up 2023 with a win at Craven Cottage on New Year's Eve.
While the Gunners have continued to perform well, Mikel Arteta's side have failed to collect the points worthy of their dominance in individual matches. On Thursday, the title hopefuls were subject to a smash-and-grab 2-0 home defeat to West Ham which manifested their woes in front of goal.
Last season, Arsenal were ruthlessly efficient in this fixture and raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to three Leandro Trossard assists. A similar performance and result wouldn't go amiss at Fulham on Sunday.
The Cottagers have lost their last three Premier League outings having beaten West Ham and Nottingham Forest 5-0 to start December.
Fulham vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
Here's our preview of Arsenal's New Year's Eve trip to west London.
How to watch Fulham vs Arsenal on TV
- When is kick-off? Sunday 31 December
- What time is kick-off? 14:00 (GMT)
- Where is it played? Craven Cottage
- TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD (UK) / Peacock (US) / fuboTV (Canada)
- Referee? Joshua Smith
Fulham team news
Marco Silva could welcome Willian back to his starting lineup on Sunday after enduring a brief absence with a head injury.
Adama Traore and Tim Ream are both doubts with respective hamstring and calf problems.
Raul Jimenez is set to return from his suspension and replace Rodrigo Muniz in the XI.
Arsenal team news
Arteta said nothing had changed on the injury front ahead of the West Ham defeat, and that should be the case once again for Sunday's game.
Kai Havertz will almost certainly come back into the side, replacing Leandro Trossard, while Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Fabio Vieira all remain out.
The boss could make a couple of changes to this starting lineup, with Oleksandr Zinchenko at risk of losing his place.
Fulham vs Arsenal predicted lineups
Fulham: Leno; Tete, Bassey, Diop, Robinson; Palhinha, Cairney; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Fulham's recent form
Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
26/12/23 | Bournemouth 3-0 Fulham | Premier League |
23/12/23 | Fulham 0-2 Burnley | Premier League |
19/12/23 | Everton 1-1 (6-7p) Fulham | Carabao Cup |
16/12/23 | Newcastle 3-0 Fulham | Premier League |
10/12/23 | Fulham 5-0 West Ham | Premier League |
Arsenal's recent form
Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
28/12/23 | Arsenal 0-2 West Ham | Premier League |
23/12/23 | Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal | Premier League |
17/12/23 | Arsenal 2-0 Brighton | Premier League |
12/12/23 | PSV 1-1 Arsenal | Champions League |
09/12/23 | Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal | Premier League |
Fulham vs Arsenal score prediction
The return of Raul Jimenez will undoubtedly aid the hosts, who could also have Willian back in the starting lineup. Fulham are a well-coached side despite their recent blip, and have shown they're capable of blowing teams away at Craven Cottage.
They also proved tricky opponents for Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in August, equalising late and earning a point in north London.
However, the Gunners will once again dominate proceedings on Sunday and attempt to break down the hosts. Their transition defending will be tested, as Fulham have the players in wide areas to do damage on the counter - as they proved back at the Emirates.
Arsenal's final third woes are a concern, and their need for a win this weekend could make this a tense affair. However, I'll back the visitors to get the win they need.