Arsenal vs. Fulham: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Fulham are coming off a very damaging defeat and have never won at the Emirates. With only one league defeat at home all season, we think the Gunners will come out on top here. Arsenal 2-0 Fulham.

As Arsenal prepare to host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, this London derby presents two clubs at contrasting stages of their Premier League campaigns – yet both with points to prove. While the Gunners find themselves in an uncomfortable no-man's land between title challengers and top-four certainties, Fulham arrive with European ambitions still very much alive despite recent cup disappointment.

• Date: 01/03/2025
• Kick-off time: 19:45
• Location: Emirates Stadium, North London

For Mikel Arteta's side, what promised to be a potential title challenge has unravelled into a season of frustration. Sitting second with 58 points might suggest progress, but the 12-point gap to leaders Liverpool tells its own story. Injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have undoubtedly disrupted their rhythm, but deeper questions persist about whether this Arsenal side have plateaued after last season's unexpected title push. With their Premier League ambitions now effectively over, all focus has shifted to their impending Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid – a distraction that could either liberate or further destabilise their domestic form.

Arsenal's approach will likely hinge on whether Arteta rotates his squad ahead of their European commitments. The Gunners have looked laboured in attack at times this season, with their reliance on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard for creativity becoming increasingly predictable. Gabriel Martinelli's fluctuating form has compounded their issues, while the midfield axis of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey – while strong – lacks creativity

Fulham, by contrast, have exceeded expectations under Marco Silva's pragmatic stewardship. Their 45 points from 28 games represents an impressive return for a side many tipped to struggle, with Silva's well-drilled 4-2-3-1 system making them notoriously difficult to break down. However, their 0-3 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace has cast a shadow over what had been an otherwise positive season. That loss at Craven Cottage – a missed opportunity to reach Wembley and chase a first major trophy – will test their mental resilience as they seek to reignite their push for a potential top-seven finish.

For Arsenal, this represents an opportunity to steady the ship after a stuttering league campaign. Three points would at least maintain the illusion of a title race while building momentum ahead of their European showdown. Fulham, meanwhile, need to regroup quickly after their cup exit. A positive result at the Emirates would reaffirm their credentials as a side capable of challenging for Europe – and perhaps ease the lingering disappointment of their Wembley dream slipping away.

This game will not be televised live in the UK.

Arsenal Team News:

Predicted lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Trossard.

Fulham Team News:

Predicted lineup: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Jimenez.

Arsenal:

Arsenal’s recent results paint a picture of a side struggling to find fluency. While their 1-0 win over Chelsea – settled by Mikel Merino’s goal – showcased defensive resilience, their attacking play has lacked the incisiveness of earlier this season. The 2-2 draw with PSV in the Champions League (goals from Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko) and a 1-1 stalemate at Manchester United (Rice again) further highlighted their struggles to break down organised defences. The 7-1 thrashing of PSV in the return leg was an emphatic response, with Martin Ødegaard (two goals) and others finding form, but the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest – a game they dominated but failed to win – underlined lingering issues in the final third.

Fulham:

Fulham, meanwhile, have been inconsistent but retain a threat. Their FA Cup campaign ended in disappointment with a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, but league wins over Tottenham (2-0) and Wolves (2-1) demonstrated their ability to upset stronger opponents. Rodrigo Muniz has emerged as a key figure, scoring in both victories, while Ryan Sessegnon’s contributions have added balance. The 2-1 loss at Brighton was a setback, but their penalty shootout triumph over Manchester United in the FA Cup (after a 1-1 draw) showed character.

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