Arsenal host Fulham in the Premier League tonight with the aim of keeping the title race alive for as long as possible.
Mikel Arteta’s men are 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool but with only nine matches remaining in the season they face overwhelming odds of pipping them to the trophy. The Gunners will instead want to keep a firm grip on second place and secure a spot in the Champions League next year.
They will be boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka after a lengthy spell recovering from a hamstring injury with Arteta claiming the winger is ‘ready to go’.
For Fulham, they will hope to shake off their FA Cup quarter-final loss to Crystal Palace. Marco Silva’s side went down 3-0 at the weekend but have an outside chance of reaching the top four with only a four-point gap separating them and Chelsea.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is Arsenal vs Fulham?
The match kicks off at 7:45pm on Tuesday 1 April at the Emirates Stadium in London.
How can I watch it?
The match is not being televised in the United Kingdom as it was not selected for broadcast during this round of fixtures. Match of the Day will air highlights from the game on BBC One at 10.40pm on Wednesday 2 April.
The Independent will have dedicated coverage of the game online with our live blog.
What is the team news?
Mikel Arteta has made just one change to the side that beat Chelsea before the international break, with Ethan Nwaneri replacing Leandro Trossard.
Bukayo Saka returns to the Arsenal bench for the first time this year, though Arteta opts against starting the England winger.
The Spaniard uses his usual back five and stays with the familiar midfield trio of Odegaard, Partey and Rice, while Gabriel Martinelli and Nwaneri are trusted on the wings either side of Mikel Merino.
Marco Silva has made five changes to the side that lost to Palace in the FA Cup, with Calvin Bassey dropping out of defence for Jorge Cuenca as the Cottagers revert to a back five.
Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira and Willian drop out of the attack, and are replaced by Adama Traore and Emile Smith Rowe, with Issa Diop also coming in as an extra centre-back.
In attack, Raul Jimenez replaces Rodrigo Muniz.
Confirmed line-ups
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Merino, Nwaneri
Fulham XI: Leno; Diop, Andersen, Cuenca; Castagne, Berge, Lukic, Robinson; Traore, Smith Rowe; Jimenez
Odds
Arsenal win – 2/5
Draw – 11/4
Fulham win – 13/2
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Arsenal vs Fulham Prediction
Arsenal may be clinging on to the slimest of hopes that they can still win the Premier League and as such will be determined to keep building some winning momentum. Fulham’s defeat to Palace at the weekend could affect morale and make a tough trip to the Emirates even tougher.
Arsenal 2-0 Fulham.
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