Sunday, May 22, 2011

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22.05. (Sun) 17:00 Fulham - Arsenal



DID YOU KNOW?

Not one of Fulham's home Premier League games against Arsenal has ended in a draw.

The Cottagers have failed to score in six of their last eight home Premier League games against the Gunners.

Arsenal have scored exactly four goals in the ultimate game of their Premier League campaign in three of the last five seasons.

Arsenal have only ever drawn one of their 18 games on the final day of the Premier League season.

30% of Fulham's goals this season have come from headers - the highest proportion in the league.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Fulham (4-4-2):
Schwarzer; Senderos, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido; Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Greening; Zamora, Johnson.

Mark Hughes will be sweating over the availability of Sean Davis and Bobby Zamora, with the duo set to complete late fitness tests before the game.

Meanwhile, Chris Baird is definitely out, serving a two-game suspension for foul language towards an official. Damien Duff’s continued absence is more than likely to be filled by Jonathan Greening.

Arsenal (4-3-3):
Szczesny; Sagna, Vermaelen, Squillaci, Gibbs; Song, Wilshere, Ramsey; Walcott, Arshavin, Van Persie.

Thomas Vermaelen continues his comeback trail, completing a back-four line-up that was dismantled by Aston Villa in 15 minutes last week.

In fact, Arsene Wenger will more than likely keep faith with the same XI from last week, as Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas look as if their period on the sidelines will stretch into the summer. Andrey Arshavin could count himself lucky to start after a dismal end of season run-in.

Prediction
It's a game where Fulham have a lot more to lose than Arsenal. If results conspire against the Cottagers, they could find themselves in the bottom half of the table after a very respectable season. The Gunners, on the other hand, are guaranteed fourth but could leapfrog Manchester City into third should Roberto Mancini's side fail to win.

Arsenal will be desperate not to end the season with three losses in a row. They attacked Aston Villa last week and I can see more of the same this week and I'm not sure whether Fulham will be able to keep them at bay.

Fulham 1-2 Arsenal