Brighton & Hove Albion begin their 2025-26 Premier League season against Fulham at AMEX Stadium.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls will seek to build upon their eighth-placed finish of last season and challenge for European qualification, whilst Fulham target a top-ten push after they fell shy in 11th last season
Team News
Carlos Baleba (knee) and Jack Hinshelwood (knock) are doubts for Brighton subject to fitness checks.
Diego Gomez (calf), Julio Enciso, Solly March and Adam Webster (all knee) are ruled out.
Fulham could be without Ryan Sessegnon due to a knock suffered in pre-season.
Antonee Robinson is ruled out with a knee injury until after September’s international break.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Fulham at AMEX Stadium on Saturday 16 August at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton have claimed four points from their last six meetings against Fulham (W1, D1, L4).
- Fulham have won one of their last five away trips to Brighton in the top-flight (W1, D3, L1).
- Brighton have kept just one clean sheet at home to Fulham in the Premier League, which came in a 0-0 draw in January 2021.
- Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls kept four clean sheets in eight pre-season games (W7, D1).
- Harry Wilson scored five goals in pre-season for Fulham.
Prediction
Having invested well and enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season, Brighton come into this season-opener full of confidence and momentum and I can see them getting stronger if they can make a winning start, although injuries do remain an issue which could be their Achilles heel if not careful.
Fulham likewise have had a solid pre-season despite no major transfer business but they’ve done well to keep the core of their squad, even if Rodrigo Muniz’s future seems to lie aboard despite an impressive season last time out but they should still deliver a strong display here.
Given how close their previous meetings at the AMEX Stadium have been, it is difficult to call a winner in this fixture so am going for a draw.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Fulham
Result: Brighton 1-1 Fulham