Bidding to stretch their three-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, Brighton and Hove Albion travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Thursday evening.
After securing maximum points in back-to-back 2-1 victories over Manchester City and Bournemouth, the Seagulls were fancied by many to make it three wins in a row by beating basement club Southampton last Friday. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Saints.
Fabian Hurzeler should be expecting more from his boys at Craven Cottage, where the seacoast side have failed to win any of their last four visits. So, the young German tactician will view this as a challenge and attempt to break the winless run away at Fulham, who held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw in their last game.
Brighton Team News
James Milner (hamstring) and Solly March (knee) both remain sidelined with injuries, while Ferdi Kadioglu and Jack Hinshelwood are all doubts for the game against Fulham.
Both Kaoru Mitoma and Yasin Ayari picked up knocks in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, so question marks remain over their availability as well. A small issue kept Joel Veltman out of the squad against the Saints. While Brajan Gruda was also absent through illness.
Meanwhile, Carlos Baleba is available for the trip to Fulham after serving a one-match suspension.
Predicted Brighton lineup vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen should guard the Brighton goal, trying his best to keep a clean sheet at Craven Cottage.
Defence
Captain Lewis Dunk should be fit to return to the first XI after the centre-back recovered from a calf problem to feature as a substitute against Southampton. He is expected to partner Jan Paul van Hecke in central defence, and the duo must take the responsibility of stopping whoever leads the Fulham attack.
Joel Veltman should overcome a slight problem to feature at right-back. Pervis Estupinan hopes to make a difference from the left-back position.
Midfield
Carlos Baleba is expected to walk straight back into the starting XI after serving a one-game ban. The young Cameroonian should shield the Brighton back four, providing Matt O’Riley with the freedom to thrive in advanced areas.
A lot of Brighton’s attacking moves generally go through Joao Pedro, who is such an asset to Fabian Hurzeler. The Brazilian will drop deep, take up important spaces and use his intelligence to cause problems for the home side.
Attack
Simon Adingra could be given the nod ahead of Georginio Rutter on the right flank, but Kaoru Mitoma is expected to shake off a knock sustained against Southampton and start in his preferred position on the left. The duo will be responsible for creating openings for striker Danny Welbeck in the box.
Yankuba Minteh, Julio Enciso and Rutter may get chances to make an impression against a leaky Fulham defence in the second half.
