Prediction: Arsenal vs Fulham

Verdict: Arsenal win 

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to build off of that thumping European display in midweek, Arsenal will welcome relegation scrappers Fulham to an empty Emirates on Sunday lunchtime.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have endured a very testing week in the capital seven days ago, The Gunners have managed to find a real boost. Making the trip out to the Czech Republic on Thursday night in what was a crucial showdown on foreign soil, Mikel Arteta’s side managed to lay down a real marker. Putting in what was their most polished display on either side of the international break, The Reds picked up a thumping 4-0 win against Slavia Praha. Building off of their routine 3-0 victory against a soon-to-be relegated Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man has also seen his side land back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since the start of January. Securing a Europa League semi-final against Villereal for later in the month, Arsenal will now be desperate to end their recent blip on home soil. The Gunners have failed to win any of their last three straight contests across all formats at The Emirates, their worst home run in 2021.

Team News

Arsenal will again be without David Luiz and Kieran Tierney due to their respective knee injuries.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is recovering from malaria and is a doubt but Martin Odegaard could return after an ankle problem.

Fulham

As for the visitors, although Fulham might have shocked many across the Premier League as they landed that stunning 1-0 win away at defending champions Liverpool on March 7th, The Whites have drastically failed to build off of that result. Watching fellow relegation scrappers Newcastle land a crucial three points away at Turf Moor last weekend, Scott Parker’s side were last seen getting hit with late heartbreak against Wolves in the capital. Making the trip across London to The Emirates on Sunday lunchtime sat six points of finding a route out of the bottom-three, The Cottagers have lost each of their last four Premier League matchups on the spin. Now in a real uphill battle if they’re to avoid an immediate Championship return this season, Parker’s side have gained a real reputation for their issues in the final third. Drawing a blank against Wolves last time out, Fulham have failed to record more than a single strike in any of their last nine top-flight contests.

Team News

Fulham welcome back Ademola Lookman, who missed the defeat by Wolves with a hamstring issue.

Tom Cairney is nearing a return but Terence Kongolo has been ruled out for the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at Craven Cottage on the opening weekend, Arsenal picked up a 3-0 romp on their travels.
• The Gunners have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since the start of January.
• Including a 1-0 defeat against Wolves last week, Fulham have lost their last four Premier League matchups on the bounce.
• The Cottagers have also failed to record more than a single strike in any of their last nine top-flight contests.
• Three of Arsenal’s last four Premier League fixtures have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might have opened April in the midst of another public blip, The Gunners are enjoying a real boost over the past week. Managing to build off of their 3-0 win against rock-bottom Sheffield United last weekend, Mikel Arteta’s side certainly laid down another European marker on foreign soil. Progressing their Europa League adventure by landing an eye-catching 4-0 romp away at Slavia Praha, Sunday’s hosts should be smelling a real chance. Although Fulham might have shocked many after landing that 1-0 win away at Anfield last month, Fulham are now tipped as the leading relegation scrapper. Last seen getting hit with a late defeat against Wolves, The Cottagers have lost each of their last four Premier League contests on the spin.

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Unibet