Game Week 31 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Fulham

Liverpool, 11 points clear, face Fulham at Craven Cottage. Reds aim to extend lead, while Fulham seek to end slump. Salah and Jota key. Liverpool win

Liverpool could march a step closer to the title this weekend with a win over Fulham after Arsenal dropped points at Everton on Saturday. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Fulham vs Liverpool

Craven Cottage

2:00pm

It’s advantage Liverpool at the top once again after Arsenal got held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, albeit under contentious circumstances.

Liverpool now sits eleven points above the Gunners, having played a game less; a win over the Lilywhites hands Liverpool a fourteen-point gap, meaning they could wrap the league title up in five games depending on what Arsenal does too.

Fulham’s last game was incidentally against the Gunners; Fulham left it too late, as their resurgence in the game could only earn them a consolation goal from Rodrigo Muniz as Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners on the night at the Emirates.

The slump by Marco Silva’s side, which includes a 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and a 2-1 loss to Brighton before them, has seen them drop to 10th on the log. With European football their dream desire, they must start winning before it’s too late to chase the teams ahead of them.

Liverpool doesn’t have any distractions; this game is what matters, having crashed out of the Champions League. The Reds laboured to beat Everton in midweek; they would hope to have it better against a more expressive Fulham side, but it also means their defence would be tested.

Fulham can’t afford to leave things late again; they’re second favourite here and really don’t have a lot to lose, so why not go for it? A win for them over Liverpool would restore their confidence as they continue to find momentum after their recent poor results.

Harry Wilson and Kenny Tete continue to recover from their respective injuries, while Reiss Nelson’s situation is still in the clouds; even if he were fit, he wouldn’t have been able to play against Arsenal as he’s on loan from the Gunners, but his injury crisis isn’t abating.

Alison Becker could be recalled to the starting lineup for Liverpool having missed the game against Everton due to concussion, while none of Alexander Arnold, Connor Bradley and Joe Gomez would feature due to injuries, leaving Jarrel Quansah as the only candidate for the right-back spot.

Mohammed Salah is expected to shine in this one, with Diogo Jota likely to start after his heroics helped the Reds past Everton in midweek. Alex Iwobi is expected to start after being a substitute in Fulham’s last game; this should be an interesting game.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.