Fulham vs Arsenal, Premier League preview: Prediction, team news, TV channel, time, live stream, h2h, odds

London duo Fulham and Arsenal will officially raise the curtain on the 2020-21 Premier League season when they lock horns at Craven Cottage in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

The top-flight action resumes just over six weeks after the last, coronavirus-impacted campaign finally drew to a close, with Arsenal since following their 14th FA Cup triumph with Community Shield success over Liverpool at Wembley.

The Gunners have been boosted by deals for Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes and the return of Dani Ceballos as they look to improve radically upon a worst league finish for 25 years, while Mikel Arteta has now seen his role changed from head coach to first-team manager.

A short trip to face a Fulham side full of confidence following their Championship play-off final defeat of rivals Brentford last month is a potentially tricky opener for Arsenal.

Scott Parker's side are looking to take a different approach to their costly 2018-19 mistakes after bouncing back to the top tier at the first time of asking, though still boast plenty of new arrivals in the shape of Kenny Tete, Alphonse Areola, Harrison Reed (signed permanently after a successful loan spell), Mario Lemina and Antonee Robinson, while ex-Chelsea defender Ola Aina is also expected to join the ranks very soon.

Date, time and venue

Fulham vs Arsenal is scheduled for a 12:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, September 12.

The match will be played behind closed doors at Craven Cottage with no fans due to be present due to government guidelines regarding coronavirus.

How to watch

TV channel: The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage starting from 11:30am.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.

Team news

Fulham manager Scott Parker has no fresh injury concerns. On-loan Paris St Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and Holland defender Kenny Tete could have to wait for debuts having joined on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Arsenal will be without a number of central defensive options after David Luiz (neck) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (calf) joined Calum Chambers (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle) and Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) in the treatment room.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes could make their debuts at the back while fellow new signing Willian is in line to make his bow - although Emile Smith Rowe (shoulder) and Gabriel Martinelli (knee) are also out.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal

Fulham surely cannot be as bad defensively on their return to the Premier League as they were two seasons ago, when they shipped a mammoth 81 goals en route to a deserved relegation that came after no shortage of expensive signings.

Parker has spoken of the need to learn lessons from the past and look to emulate the likes of Sheffield United.

The visit of Arsenal provides the Cottagers with the chance to claim a major scalp straight out of the gate, though Arteta and co should be on a high after their FA Cup and Community Shield exploits.

Arsenal to start the new season with a narrow win in an entertaining battle.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

These two clubs have met on 57 previous occasions across all competitions.

Arsenal boast a commanding lead in terms of wins, 39 to eight. There have also been 10 draws.

The Gunners have emerged victorious in all of the last five meetings, with Fulham's last win over Arsenal coming all the way back in January 2012.

Betting odds and tips

• Fulham to win: 11/2

• Arsenal to win: 8/13

• Draw: 7/2

Odds courtesy of Betfair Exchange. Click here to find out more.

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