Marco Silva’s Fulham returns to home after two crushing defeats away from home. Against Bournemouth, the cottagers even opened the scoring thanks to Sessegnon’s effort, but conceded three times at the end of the match – a typical plot this season for the Portuguese specialist’s team. However, the team’s home form is good, with wins over Brentford and Leeds, as well as seven points from three matches at Craven Cottage, leaving room for optimism.

However, personnel losses do not give Silva peace. Tete, Lukic, Robinson, Muniz and Chukwueze are absent due to injuries. However, Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith-Rowe are all set to feature against their former club, while Raul Jimenez could return to the squad following a groin problem. In addition, Fulham have not lost at home since August, but have not kept a clean sheet against Arsenal for over 15 years since August 2008.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal approach the derby in excellent form, with four straight wins in all competitions, the best defense in the league and nine different goalscorers in the first seven rounds. The Gunners beat Newcastle, Olympiakos, West Ham and Port Vale, showing depth and confidence in every line. Arteta’s men have lost just one of the last 18 London derbies in the Premier League and only once in that period – at Fulham. But now the Gunners look more mature, confident and trying to keep the lead they gained before the international break.

But the problems did not bypass the leader of the EPL, although now they are almost not felt at all – Arteta finally has two full-fledged squads, so the dependence on stars is not as significant as before. However, now Martin Edegore, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are out due to injuries. But Ben White, Martin Subimendi and Piero Incapier, who can debut in the Premier League, are in the lineup. The key focus is on Bukayo Saka and Victor Yokeres leading the forward line, while Declan Rice remains the heart of the midfield – a heart that Subi complements perfectly.

According to bookmakers, Mikel Arteta’s wards have more chances of success today. Thus, the odds for Arsenal’s victory in regular time are 1.51, while Fulham’s potential success is estimated at 6.70. The probability of a draw is represented by a coefficient of 4.35.