02.01. (Mon) 18:30 Fulham vs Arsenal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FULHAM StockdaleKelly, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise Murphy, Etuhu Dempsey, Ruiz, Dembele Orlando Sa

ARSENAL SzczesnyDjourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen  Ramsey, Song, Arteta Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

Striker Andy Johnson is due to return to Fulham in time for their first game of 2012 but is unlikely to go straight into a starting role, with Orlando Sa's goal against Norwich City expected to be enough to keep his place. Martin Jol will likely want to beef up his midfield for the visit of the Gunners, so Dickson Etuhu should feature in central midfield with Clint Dempsey moving further forward in place of Kerim Frei. Bobby Zamora is no closer to a return to action from his calf injury.

Arsenal are still without long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Bakary Sagna and Andre Santos among an eight-strong injury list, so manager Arsene Wenger has options restricted with regard to changing his lineup from Saturday's QPR clash. Gervinho may come in to freshen up the forward line and to make best use of the Ivorian's talents before his imminent departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time that Arsenal met Fulham, on November 26 at the Emirates Stadium, defender Thomas Vermaelen scored at both ends in a 1-1 draw.

• Fulham have not beaten the Gunners since August 23, 2008, when a solitary goal from centre-back Brede Hangeland was enough to sink Wenger's men at Craven Cottage.

• In the six meetings that have followed that result, three have been Arsenal wins and three, including the two most recent clashes, have ended in a draw.

• Gunners captain Robin van Persie fell one short of Alan Shearer's Premier League record of goals scored in a calendar year, notching a still-incredible 35 times in the league over the course of 2011.

• Clint Dempsey is the home side's top scorer so far this season with nine strikes to his name in all competitions. Compared to Van Persie's record, the American struck 13 in the past 12 months of Premier League football.

• Fulham have struggled to overcome fellow London sides so far this season, with three draws in five local derbies in all competitions so far this season. They also lost once to Tottenham and thumped QPR 6-0.

• The Gunners have fared slightly better, recording two wins and two draws in their own five derby games in 2011-12.

• Philippe Senderos, likely to start in central defence for Fulham, made 84 league appearances over seven years at Arsenal between 2003 and 2010.

Prediction

Arsenal's disastrous start to the season is almost a distant memory now with Saturday's win over QPR lifting them into the top four after a length absence. Fulham have struggled against the north Londoners in recent years and the visitors should have enough to emerge from Craven Cottage unscathed.

Editor's Prediction

Fulham 0-2 Arsenal

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02.01. (Mon) 16:00 Wolves vs Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

WOLVES Hennessey Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Elokobi Jarvis, Edwards, Ward, Henry, Hunt Fletcher

CHELSEA   Cech Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole Romeu, Lampard, Ramires Mata, Drogba, Sturridge

Wolves will be without the suspended Nenad Milijas, who will serve the second of his three- match ban against the Blues.

Jamie O’Hara and Ronald Zubar will also be missing for Mick McCarthy's side as they are currently injured. Stephen Ward stepped into the central midfield role vacated by Milijas in the 1-1 draw with Bolton so expect him to continue in this position on Monday.

David Edwards, who was on the bench at the Reebok Stadium, could be recalled as McCarthy may switch to a five-man midfield against Chelsea with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake missing out. Chelsea will stick with the same formation they used against Aston Villa in their 3-1 defeat. However, the personnel will probably change. Jose Bosingwa could be in line for a recall at right-back replacing Paulo Ferreira.
With Branislav Ivanovic still injured and Alex out-of-favour,  David Luiz and John Terry will continue at centre-back despite the Blues' defensive frailties. Frank Lampard should return in midfield replacing Raul Meireles, while the Blues' front three should stay the same - although Fernando Torres could push for a start.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Wolves have not won in five games, losing two and drawing three. Their last win was a 2-1 victory over Sunderland on 4 December at Molineux.

• Striker Steven Fletcher (pictured right) has scored five goals in his last six games, and is the leading scorer for Mick McCarthy’s side this season with eight goals in total.                   

• Wolves have won just three games at Molineux this season and have the sixth worst home record in the division.

• Mick McCarthy’s side beat Chelsea in this fixture last season with a Jose Bosingwa own goal being the difference between the two sides.

• In 102 meetings between the teams Chelsea and Wolves have both won 38 times, and there have also been 26 draws.

• Chelsea have not won in four Premier League games, their longest period without a win this season; their last victory was the 2-1 win over Manchester City on the 12 December.

• This is the first time since 2001-02 season that the Blues have started a calendar year outside of the top four.

• Chelsea have the third best defensive record in the Premier League away from home, having conceded just eight goals. Only Liverpool (seven) and Manchester United (three) have conceded fewer.

• The Blues have the same amount of points as they had after the same number of games last season, but this term they have scored four more goals and conceded nine more.

Prediction

Chelsea will have been shocked at the manner of their defeat on Saturday and Wolves could fear a backlash. Mick McCarthy’s side haven’t been in the best of form themselves but always seem to play well against the bigger teams at Molineux. If Chelsea click into gear it could be a thrashing but they look out of sorts so Wolves can get something out of this game.

Editor's Prediction

Wolves 1-1 Chelsea

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