After two losses in their opening two games, Fulham finally opened their account last weekend when they beat Burnley at home in a game that ended with a combined six goals. The Cottagers backed up that win with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Exeter City in the League Cup earlier this week.
Fulham are back in action in the league this weekend when they travel to the Falmer Stadium, to take on a Brighton side that were eliminated from the League Cup by Southampton on Tuesday. They also fell to a loss at Anfield during last weekend but the victory over Manchester United and the performance against Klopp’s Liverpool will give them plenty of confidence.
Both teams have three points from their first three games and though it’s still early, this game could potentially be a relegation-six pointer as both sides will want to avoid the drop this season.
Slavisa Jokanovic made changes galore to his side in the Cup tie but is expected to field a much stronger side this time:
Fulham – Team News
The manager is still without the services of Neeskens Kebano, Floyd Ayite and Tim Ream, all of who have been ruled out. Tom Cairney is progressing well in his rehab but might not be fit for this weekend.
Expected Fulham lineup (4-3-3)
Defence
Marcus Bettinelli did a decent job against the Clarets and is expected to keep his place in goal. Maxime le Marchand has 2.7 tackles, 8.2 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per game and been a constant presence at the back for Fulham this season. He should start alongside Denis Odoi, who was solid at the back last weekend.
Ryan Sessegnon played the full 90 minutes in the mid-week which could see Joe Bryan keep his place at left-back while Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who has a passing accuracy of 87%, should start at right-back.
Midfield
Kevin McDonald put in an impressive shift against Burnley and has five clearances and five tackles to his name this season. He should keep his place in a defensive midfield role with Jean Michael Seri, who scored the opener against the Clarets, expected to start to the former’s right.
With Cairney out injured, Zambo Anguissa, who has a passing accuracy of 97%, the best at the club, should start to McDonald’s left, completing Fulham’s three-man midfield.
Attack
Aleksandar Mitrovic already has three goals to his name this season and should continue to lead the line. Andre Schurrle, who scored the late goal against Burnley, will start on the right flank and will look to put in a similar performance this weekend.
Luciano Vietto, who has two assists to his name this season, should start on the left wing, adding width to the Fulham attack.
Here is how they might line up:
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com