Arsenal will look to close the gap on Liverpool
AFP
After a two-week hiatus for international duty and FA Cup drama, the Premier League roars back into action with a full slate of midweek fixtures.
From Arsenal aiming to preserve their flawless home record against Fulham to Manchester United chasing their first back-to-back league wins in over a year, Gulf News breaks down the key storylines ahead of Tuesday’s clashes.
**Arsenal vs Fulham**
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Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium for a London derby with history firmly on their side. The Gunners have never lost a home league game against Fulham, winning 24 and drawing seven in their 31 encounters. No other English Football League fixture boasts such a dominant home record.
Before the international break, Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 win over Chelsea, but they still face an uphill battle in the title race. Sitting 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, their hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy rest on an unlikely collapse from the Reds. However, their impressive record in London derbies this season - having collected 20 points, the most of any side - suggests they will be ready for the challenge against Fulham.
Marco Silva’s Fulham have been solid against Arsenal in recent meetings, going unbeaten in their last three league clashes (W1, D2). A victory here would mark their longest such streak since a four-game run between 2011 and 2012. After crashing out of the FA Cup with a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Fulham now turn their full attention to securing a European spot, sitting just four points off the top four.
Greater consistency will be key, as they have only managed consecutive league wins once since November. Their substitutes have played a vital role, scoring 13 goals this season - one of the highest tallies in Premier League history.
**Wolves vs West Ham**
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Wolves have historically enjoyed strong home form against the Hammers, winning four of the last six meetings at Molineux. However, they lost this fixture 2-1 last season and haven’t suffered consecutive home defeats to West Ham since the early 1920s.
Sitting nine points above the relegation zone, Wolves are not mathematically safe but look well-positioned to secure their Premier League status. With 10 points from their last six games - matching their total from the previous 12 - Wolves are finding form at the right time. Their matches have been among the league’s most entertaining, producing a joint-high 98 goals (40 scored, 58 conceded).
West Ham, sitting one place above Wolves in 16th, are focused on finishing the season as strongly as possible. Graham Potter is beginning to leave his mark on the team, losing just one of his last four matches in charge (W2, D1). However, their games have been low-scoring, with under three goals in seven of their last eight Premier League outings.
The Hammers have enjoyed midweek success recently, winning their last three league matches played on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Potter himself has a strong record against Wolves, having beaten them 3-0 twice with different clubs.
**Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United**
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Forest stunned United with a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford in December and now aim to complete their first league double over the Red Devils since 1991-92.
Fresh from an FA Cup semi-final triumph, Forest are in outstanding form and boast an eight-match unbeaten league run at the City Ground (W6, D2). Their resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo has propelled them into the top four, and they are eager to secure Champions League football next season.
Notably, Forest have scored first in a league-high 22 games this season, winning 15 of them. However, they have struggled when conceding first, losing five of six matches in which they fell behind.
Manchester United used the international break to recover from injuries, though it interrupted a promising run of form. Ruben Amorim’s side had claimed back-to-back victories by three-goal margins, including a 3-0 win over Leicester. The Red Devils haven’t managed consecutive league wins since February 2024, but their recent away record (W4, D3, L1) suggests they could be turning a corner.
While Forest won this fixture 2-1 last season, United avenged that defeat in the FA Cup two months later. With extra rest due to not playing at the weekend, Amorim’s men should be well-prepared for what could be a crucial game in their push for a top-half finish.
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