Coming off the back of yet another win, Arsenal will be sure favourites for their upcoming match against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. Thus far, Arsenal and Fulham couldn’t have had more different seasons, with Arsenal leading the Premier League by a sole point, and Fulham struggling, amongst managerial changes, to keep out of the relegation zone, which they currently sit one point above.
Fulham, despite changing manager’s mid-way through the season, are still largely underperforming, and have only won three of their last fourteen games, so many would believe that it would take a minor miracle for Fulham to get a result at the Emirates, but stranger things have happened, especially as Fulham have so little to lose, and so much to prove and it’s in fixtures like this that players can really start to stand up and take responsibility. Two ex-spurs players feature (Parker, Dempsey) who will no-doubt appreciate the importance of playing against Arsenal.
Arsenal will be looking to continue their run of form and maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table, and the importance of this fixture cannot be underestimated as Arsenal are soon to approach a quick-fire series of blockbuster games against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, so Arsenal fans will know just how important it is to pick up three points in this fixture – by whatever means possible.
Arsenal fans will also expect to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain feature in the squad again after returning from his three-month layoff, and German international Lukas Podolski will be keen to start after managing to net twice in the reverse fixture. However, Arsenal will be without Tomas Rosicky, who will be out of this fixture due to a broken nose. Fulham on the other hand, have only one major doubt for the Arsenal game, in centre-back Fernando Amorebieta, but will be boosted by the presence of loanee Clint Dempsey.
Arsenal will go into the game expecting three points from a low-in-confidence, under-performing Fulham, and whilst this is to be expected, Arsenal will have to be professional to ensure no slip-ups in what will prove to be a crucial form-enhancing game in preparation for the hardest run of Arsenal’s season.
Betting Tips
• Arsenal to win both halves – 5/4: The Gunners have been in imperious form of late, and who would expect anything to change against one of the worst teams in the entire league? Back them to win both halves at quite a decent price.
• Mikel Arteta to be booked anytime – 2/1: The Spanish midfielder is often the man that ends up ‘taking the foul for the good of the team’, if you know what I mean. With Fulham actually possessing decent enough attacking options, him getting booked isn’t inconceivable. 2/1 seems like great odds, too.
• Arsenal -1 handicap – 8/11: When Arsenal click and really strut their stuff, there are few better teams in Europe. If they can do this against Fulham, expect goals. Plenty of them. Back them to win by more than one goal with the handicap market. It makes for better odds than simply just backing the Arsenal win.
