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One of the downsides of being successful in English football is that you have to play a heck of a lot of games in April and May.
That creates physical fatigue – the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are closing in on 4,000 minutes played each this term, but also the psychological weariness of playing in big games week in, week out.
The meat in Arsenal’s Atletico Madrid sandwich is this Saturday clash (5:30pm) with Fulham, who themselves could yet finish as high as sixth in the Premier League table if they finish strongly.
Can the Cottagers take advantage of the weary Gunners… and in the process claim their first ever victory at the Emirates Stadium in nine attempts?
Arsenal v Fulham Tips
Fulham/Draw Double Chance @ 13/8 (bet365)
Both Teams to Score - No @ 4/5 (bet365)
Under 3.5 Cards @ 8/11 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Fresh and Firing
Fulham aren’t exactly charging to the seasonal finishing line, but they’re showing just about enough to suggest they’ll be more than a handful to a frazzled Arsenal side.
A 0-0 draw at Brentford was followed by a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, so that’s two positive results against teams higher than the Cottagers in the table.
Arsenal have lost to Bournemouth and Manchester City within their last five, while even the win over Newcastle and the goalless stalemate with Sporting Lisbon were sluggish, creating 0.49 and 0.64 of xG respectively.
And so, at a meaty price, we can take a chance on Fulham claiming something from the game on Saturday and derailing Arsenal’s title push.
Tip: Fulham/Draw Double Chance @ 13/8 (bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands here if Fulham win or draw the game.
Drawing a Blank
Arsenal aren’t, at this moment in time at least, an extravagant attacking outfit.
Instead, their success has been built on keeping clean sheets and hoping to find a winner at the other end of the pitch – either via a moment of magic or, increasingly often, a set piece.
The Gunners have prevented the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting, Newcastle and Everton from scoring at the Emirates in recent times, while in four of Fulham’s last five games, one or both sides have failed to find the net.
Tip: Both Teams to Score - No @ 4/5 (bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if at least one of Arsenal or Fulham doesn’t score.
No Drama
When these sides met at Craven Cottage back in October, not a single card was dished out.
These are two technical sides that aren’t blessed with hatchet men and cloggers, so that perhaps doesn’t come as a surprise – there were only 15 fouls committed in that encounter too, which is far below the average for a Premier League game.
We don’t expect Arsenal to be charging into tackles here – theirs is a performance that may lack some intensity, given the nature of their Champions League exploits.
Our selection is supported by the appointment of Jared Gillett as referee. He ranks just 14th in the Premier League this term for yellow cards shown and 20th for fouls given, so Gillett is willing to let the game flow and not reach for his notebook when avoidable.
Tip: Under 3.5 Cards @ 8/11 (bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if there are three or fewer cards shown in total.
Arsenal v Fulham: Match result odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.