Fulham vs Arsenal Prediction: Gunners to bombard the Cottage

The Premier League's evening serving on Saturday (17:30 BST, Sky Sports Main Event) comes from Craven Cottage as Fulham host Arsenal. The Gunners will look to maintain their lead at the top of the table and they are currently just one point clear of Liverpool in second.

The Cottagers have lost successive league games 3-1 as they face a tough test against Mikel Arteta's side. Below you will find my Fulham vs Arsenal predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Fulham received a fresh injury blow during the international break, with midfield enforcer Sasa Lukic picking up an abductor injury featuring for Serbia. He is is set to be out of action for between four to six weeks.

Boss Marco Silva must look for a replacement in the engine room, so he will likely turn to veteran Tom Cairney.

Rodrigo Muniz (muscle) and Kenny Tete (knee) are also set to miss out on Saturday. The hosts will be hoping that Raul Jimenez will be able to shake off a knock to lead the line against Arsenal, otherwise young star Josh King may have to take on that responsibility for the second successive match.

Premier League Odds

Martin Odegaard (knee) is out with another injury for Arsenal and he joins Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke in the treatment room with similar issues. Piero Hincapie (groin) is the other absentee for the visitors.

Martin Zubimendi replaced Odegaard against West Ham United last time out and he may take the Norwegian's spot in the midfield alongside Declan Rice, while Eberechi Eze might be stationed just ahead of the pair.

The back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori should remain intact ahead of shot-stopper David Raya.

Today's Football Fixtures

Fulham vs Arsenal Odds

Fulham are currently unbeaten at the Cottage in the Premier League, winning two of their three matches here to date. They are 11/2 to inflict a second defeat in the top flight upon Arsenal.

They also drew here against Manchester United, and they held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw when they last met here in December. The stalemate is priced at 16/5.

Arsenal are 8/15 (implied probability of 65.2%) to come away with the three points, and they have won two of their three away trips in the league so far.

The visitors have kept four clean sheets in seven league outings this term and they are 1/1 to record another on Saturday.

Arsenal and under 3.5 goals @ 11/10

It's still early days in the season but things are looking good for Arsenal, particularly considering their squad hasn't been at full strength for the first two months of the campaign.

The Gunners are at the top of the tree and while they don't have a healthy advantage at this stage, they have looked like a side capable of battling for the title strongly this year. Five wins from their opening seven fixtures, with just three goals conceded in that time - that's the hallmark of would-be champions.

They make the short trip to west London to face Fulham, a side who have lost their last two league matches, conceding six goals in the process. It was a concerning late capitulation against AFC Bournemouth last time out, leaving them in a vulnerable position ahead of facing Arsenal.

There is a big gulf in class between the two squads on paper, and I think this will be reflected out on the pitch. Arsenal's tails are up and I think they will have too much for their hosts to handle on Saturday.

Only one of the Gunners' league triumphs this season have produced more than four goals, however, so under 3.5 goals seems a smart accompaniment for this bet.

Under 0.5 Fulham goals @ 1/1

Everyone knows how good Arsenal are defending. The statistics show that they have the best defence in the division and by watching the Gunners' back four in action, you see just how effective they are in protecting Raya in goal.

The visitors' defence has only been breached three times and they have managed four clean sheets at this stage, having won on all four occasions. Fulham may have only blanked just once this season, in the dubious 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in August, but the Cottagers have not yet faced a defence as well-disciplined as Arsenal's.

Offers

Saturday: Opt in and place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League match on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday or Monday’s Premier League matches. (Credited within 24 hours)

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Get double or treble the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down