2022-23 Premier League: Week Five – Fulham vs Brighton

Fulham welcome top-four chasing Brighton & Hove Albion to Craven Cottage in midweek Premier League action.

Victory could see Fulham climb to fifth depending on results elsewhere, whilst Brighton can go top with a win because the top three clubs aren’t in action until Wednesday evening.

 

Team News

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Fulham have no fresh injury concerns to report following Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal.

Manor Solomon and Harry Wilson (both knee) remain ruled out.

Brighton will again be without Adam Lallana after a calf injury kept him out of Saturday’s home win over Leeds.

Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder both remain ruled out with knee injuries.

 

Stat Attack

• Fulham are unbeaten in four previous Premier League meetings against Brighton (W1, D3).
• Brighton are winless in two previous Premier League visits to Fulham (D1, L1).
• A goalless draw would mark the second time that three consecutive meetings in all competitions between Fulham and Brighton finished 0-0 – having previously happened between December 1995 –  October 1996.
• Aleksandar Mitrovic is yet to score on his left foot for Fulham this season.
• Brighton for the second consecutive season have scored five goals in their opening four league matches, yet are one point better off this season (10) than at this stage last season (9).

 

Prediction

Having gone into Saturday’s eventual defeat at Arsenal as underdogs, Fulham delivered a strong attacking effort to fight the Gunners and claim the lead initially, only for small defensive errors to cost them in the end but the overall effort should give them confidence.

Brighton meanwhile were excellent against Leeds with an aggressive attacking display especially when on the counter-attack, although they were wasteful in their end product but defended well to protect their eventual win.

Goals therefore surely have to be a certainty here if both teams bring their best attacking boots but Brighton’s defence have been difficult to beat once they scored first, which could well be crucial if there is a winner.

Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Brighton

Result: Fulham 2-1 Brighton