Brighton vs Fulham Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Brighton and Hove Albion will be looking to kick on and push towards European qualification as the Seagulls now take on Fulham at the AMEX on the opening day.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Universo
Brighton preview: Another busy summer
Brighton and Hove Albion spent over £200 million last summer and Fabian Hurzeler, as the youngest permanent coach in Premier League history, enjoyed a reasonable first campaign as the Seagulls missed out on Europe on the final day of the campaign.
The Seagulls have again been reasonably busy this summer with Joao Pedro having departed for Chelsea and now Carlos Baleba the subject of interest from Manchester United, but Brighton know exactly what they are doing in terms of succession planning.
Fulham preview: The risk of stagnation
The era of Marco Silva at Fulham could well be on the verge of heading into stagnation, with the Cottagers having been firmly trapped in the middle-of-the-table in the Premier League for a while, and they have had another quiet transfer window.
There have been no big name departures for the west Londoners this summer, with loanee Reiss Nelson having returned to Arsenal. They have only had one incoming deal with goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte arriving from Montpellier Herault.
Brighton team news: A few issues
Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Carlos Baleba will be available for this weekend, whilst also stating is very confident that the midfielder will stay at the club amid Manchester United interest.
The Seagulls’ boss has said that youngsters such as Tommy Watson and Stefanos Tzimas are in a “phase of adaptation” so may not be seen.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Ayari, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), March (Injured), Enciso (Injured)
Questionable: Hinshelwood (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Kostoulas (Fitness)
Fulham team news: No Robinson
In his pre-match press conference, Marco Silva has said that Antonee Robinson will soon be available after his surgery over the summer but the United States international is unavailable on the opening day.
Rodrigo Muniz has been described as being “in contention” to start this weekend, amid links with a move away.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Diop, Bassey; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Jimenez
Unavailable: Robinson (Injured)
Questionable: Sessegnon (Fitness)
Brighton vs Fulham prediction
Brighton and Hove Albion will be expected to get on the front foot with their home advantage on the opening day of the campaign. They have a few injury absentees and some issues with regards to potentially departing players, but they will remain strong. Fulham, on the other hand, head into the season with a bit of a cloud due to a lack of transfer activity and there is a concern they could stagnate so siding with the Seagulls looks the way to go for this one down on the south coast.
Brighton vs Fulham tip: Double chance – Brighton to win or draw
