Preview: Fulham vs Arsenal (24-Aug-13)

Probable Lineups

Missing Players

Team News

Fulham

• Matthew Briggs looks set to start after replacing Kieran Richardson during the 1-0 win over Sunderland last weekend as a result of injury to the latter. He'll be joined on the sidelines by Maarten Stekelenburg, who has a shoulder injury.
• Fernando Amorebieta is expected to overcome a knock and take his place in the starting XI, while Bryan Ruiz looks set to make his first start of the season.
• Scott Parker is likely to make his debut at the expense of Steve Sidwell against Arsenal, but Darren Bent may be forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Arsenal

• Arsene Wenger will be forced into one change from the team that defeated Fenerbahçe 3-0 on Wednesday, with Carl Jenkinson coming in for the suspended Laurent Koscielny, meaning Bacary Sagna will move to centre-back.
• Santi Cazorla started from the bench against Aston Villa, but will be expected to take his place in the starting XI against Fulham.
• Nacho Monreal returned to action in Turkey following his injury layoff, but Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta remain sidelined.
• Ryo Miyaichi and Yaya Sanogo are both doubts.

Prediction

• Fulham will be buoyed by the resolute 1-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend, but it came at a cost as Maarten Stekelenburg and Kieran Richardson both picked up injuries. David Stockdale and Matthew Briggs are set to replace the duo.
• Fernando Amorebieta is expected to overcome a knock and start Fulham's first home game of the season. Bryan Ruiz and Scott Parker are also tipped to take their place in the starting XI, While Dimitar Berbatov will likely get the nod ahead of Darren Bent on the frontline.
• Arsenal's defeat to Aston Villa wasn't the ideal start to the campaign, but the Gunners put one foot in the group stages of the Champions League with the midweek win over Fenerbahçe.
• The suspended Laurent Koscielny will be replaced at centre-back by Bacary Sagna, with Carl Jenkinson set to come in at right-back.
• Other than that, Arsene Wenger will likely persist with the same starting XI from Wednesday night.
• Arsenal won the most points (19) in London derbies last season and have won 3 of their last 6 Premier League trips to Craven Cottage, with an away win the expected outcome.