Prediction: Fulham vs Brighton

Verdict: Both teams to socre

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to extend their stay in the Champions League places, Brighton will travel to Craven Cottage on Thursday night when they meet Fulham.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have marked their return from November’s international break with a nightmare 4-1 drumming at the hands of Wolves, the Cottagers have received plenty of plaudits this season. Mounting a dramatic late comeback away at Tottenham last weekend as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate in north London, Marco Silva’s men have their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous five Premier League appearances, the former Everton boss will now be calling on his squad to find some recent stability. Despite opening November with a remarkable 2-1 victory against bitter local rivals Brentford, Fulham have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet since the end of September.

Team News

Shown a straight red card away at Tottenham over the weekend, Tom Cairney will miss out through suspension on Thursday night. Likewise, picking up a costly second-half booking in north London, Serbian midfielder Sasa Lukic will serve a one-match ban in midweek.

Missing out against Spurs on Sunday afternoon and dealing with a recent muscle injury, Silva’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of summer recruit Joachim Andersen. Notching six goals for club and country since October’s international break, one-time Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson will be hoping to make a rare start.

Brighton

As for the visitors, missing out on what they billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Southampton, Brighton will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, continuing on what has been a sensational rise since Fabian Hurtzler’s arrival over the summer, the Seagulls find the mood in their camp at a real high. Opening up the midweek fixtures sat battling it out in the Champions League spots, the former St. Pauli boss will be calling on an immediate response here. Heading into November’s fortnight interval with a 2-1 victory against defending champions Manchester City, Brighton have collected seven points from their previous three Premier League appearances. However, it should be noted, when Brighton last travelled to Craven Cottage back in March, they slumped to a woeful 3-0 drumming.

Team News

After serving a one-match suspension against Southampton over the weekend, midfield starlet Carlos Baleba could be handed a full recall here. However, dealing with what has become a stacked injury list at the Amex, Brighton will be unable to call upon the likes of Solly March, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey and skipper Lewis Dunk.

Recording a pair of Premier League goals in his previous three appearances, Brazilian marksman Joao Pedro will lead the line on Thursday night. Making a first Premier League start of the season against Southampton on Friday night, summer recruit Matt O’Riley should keep his spot in the middle of the park.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Fulham and Brighton last met back on March 2nd, the Cottagers collected a thumping 3-0 victory on home soil.
• In fact, Fulham have collected 10 points from their previous four Premier League meetings against Brighton.
• Fulham have failed to record back-to-back Premier League victories at Craven Cottage since back in March.
• Brighton have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last 11 appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Seagulls have seen 10 of their previous 11 domestic showdowns finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Claiming a thumping 3-0 victory when they welcomed Brighton to Craven Cottage back in March, Fulham will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. However, although the Cottagers might have collected 10 points from their last four Premier League showdowns against Thursday’s guests, they do meet a Brighton squad that are scrapping it out in the top-four chase. It should be noted, with the Seagulls seeing 10 of their previous 11 domestic showdowns finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in west London.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Luckster