Fulham vs Arsenal: Gunners Aim to Extend Lead in London Derby
Arsenal, currently perched atop the Premier League table, will travel across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Saturday, October 18, 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM BST. The Gunners are looking to extend their lead over Liverpool to four points before the defending champions face Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal enters the match with a record of five wins and one loss in their first seven league games. Their most recent victory was a 2-0 win against West Ham before the international break, with goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Fulham, meanwhile, sits in 14th place with eight points. They are looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth, where Ryan Sessegnon's opener was ultimately not enough to secure any points.
Team News and Injuries
Arsenal will be without key midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke are also out with knee injuries. However, there is positive news as Piero Hincapié is in contention to make his second appearance for the club after recovering from a groin injury. Ben White and Martin Zubimendi are also expected to be available despite missing some training sessions this week. Eberechi Eze is likely to fill Ødegaard's spot in midfield.
Fulham has several injury concerns of their own. Sasa Lukic is expected to be out for six weeks after being substituted in the Bournemouth game. Samuel Chukwueze is also reported to have picked up an injury while on international duty. Furthermore, Antonee Robinson and Rodrigo Muniz are confirmed absentees. Raul Jimenez and Kenny Tete are also doubtful for the clash. Despite the injury woes, former Arsenal players Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno are all fit and available to face their old club.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Arsenal has struggled in recent visits to Craven Cottage, failing to win in their last two attempts. Last season, a William Saliba goal secured a 1-1 draw after Raul Jimenez had put Fulham ahead. In December 2023, Fulham emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, marking their first win in 12 matches against Arsenal.
In the overall head-to-head record, Arsenal has dominated, winning 43 of the 65 encounters, while Fulham has won nine times, and 13 matches have ended in a draw.
Predictions and Expectations
Despite their recent struggles at Craven Cottage, Arsenal is considered the favorite for this match. The Gunners' strong start to the season and superior quality make them a formidable opponent for Fulham. However, Marco Silva's Fulham is known for being a tough team to beat, particularly at home, where they are unbeaten in their last three league matches.
Expert predictions lean towards an Arsenal victory, with the expectation that their attacking prowess will eventually break down Fulham's defense. A narrow win for Arsenal is anticipated, with a scoreline of 2-0 being a popular prediction.
How to Watch
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 5 PM BST on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the match live via the Sky Go app.
