Fulham vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Date: 29/01/2018
K/O: 19:45
Venue: Craven Cottage
Referee: Lee Probert
Brighton will journey to Craven Cottage on Tuesday night searching for an elusive away win that would end their run of two consecutive losses. Similarly, their hosts Fulham will be looking to end their own run of four consecutive defeats.
Claudio Ranieri has done much to improve Fulham since his appointment despite the score lines suggesting a different story. The Cottagers most recent loss to Tottenham looked to be the turning point for Ranieri and his men, but the Premier League’s unpredictability was showcased once more through Tottenham’s late late victory. Indeed, Fulham’s case is a strange one with the team improving but being seemingly punished for doing so as was evidenced in the bizarre loss to Burnley a few weeks back.
The possibility of a win over Brighton is quite real for Fulham, but it doesn’t help that nothing seems stable at Craven Cottage currently. The recent and puzzling introduction of Ryan Babel, the absolutely chaotic and ongoing penalty affair with Kamara, and the lack of confidence displayed from the Cottagers back line is a glorious cauldron of confusion. Some semblance of stability must be established if there is to be an escape from relegation.
Brighton are in a much more comfortable position than their adversaries this season, and there were many positives to draw from their recent loss to Solksjaer’s Manchester United. With Mat Ryan returning from duty with Australia, Bernardo recovering from his injury, and Pascal Groß and Jurgen Locadia in fine form, Brighton will be able to field a very strong starting XI for the trip. Everything seems to be coming together for the Seagulls as the rise in form coincides with what looks to be a very kind run of fixtures.
Hughton is doing what he set out do at the beginning of the season, which was improve upon what he and his team did last season. It has been an improvement to date, and despite Brighton’s inability to keep a clean sheet in their last thirteen matches, the Seagull’s have displayed incredible organizational discipline. Likewise, the attack has improved massively since the introduction of Pascal Groß and Jurgen Locadia, and Solly March has also proven his value. The Seagulls enter this match with confidence in their abilities as Hughton and his men begin to aim for something more than “staying afloat in the Premier League.”
Ranieri will be hoping that the difficult losses have galvanized his team into doggedly fighting for their place in the Premier League. The Italian is surely aware of the Seagull’s poor away record and he will be looking to capitalize on their weakness away from home. Hughton undoubtedly recognises the challenge of playing a team and manager who desperately need a win, and his team’s resolve will have to exceed that of their opponents if they are to leave Craven Cottage with any kind of result.
Team News
Fulham
Alfie Mawson will miss out through injury while Kamara remains in exile following his recent penalty drama. Luckily for Ranieri, the rest of his squad is fit and available for selection.
There has been plenty of talk over Babel’s debut performance which admittedly, was a great debut despite the loss. Still, Fulham should be looking to a certain Serbian to help them in this time of need. Mitrovic began the season in blistering form, keeping pace with the league’s best forwards. However, the Cottagers dip in form has also caused a dip in his own form.
Mitrovic is arguably one of the best forwards outside of the top six, but he may have forgotten it. If the Whites are to fight relegation, they need all their players at 100%, especially players like the Serb. Goals have been missing at Craven Cottage as of late, and I believe that Fulham’s fate is irreversibly intertwined with the form of their Serbian striker.
Brighton
Hemed, Izquierdo, Jahanbakhsh and Suttner are all unavailable for selection with Jahanbakhsh being the only player who is unavailable due to international duties.
Groß was Brighton’s key player last season, and the Seagulls would have likely been relegated without him. Following his injury, Groß’s form suffered but the German has fully recovered and is looking like his former, dangerous self. His ability to direct Brighton’s attack is clearly noticeable and with him in the team, Brighton seem much more willing to venture forward. Needless to say, he will be crucial in this match at Craven Cottage.
Predicted Starting XIs
Wolves: (3-4-3): Sergio Rico; Odoi, Le Marchand, Ream; Christie, Chambers, Seri, Bryan; Schürrle, Mitrovic, Babel
Brighton: (4-3-3): Button; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Groß, Stephens, Propper; Solly March, Murray, Locadia
Score Prediction: Fulham 2 Brighton 2
Brighton’s away form, I fear, will not be solved this season and the Seagull’s will continue to suffer away from the Amex. Despite their disciplined back line I see Duffy and Dunk having a difficult timing dealing with the physicality of Mitrovic and the experience of Schürrle. Fulham’s back line is likely to suffer at the hand of Murray and Locadia as well and I don’t see the Cottagers stopping the in-form pair. The form of both teams suggests an open, high-scoring affair, and I see Ranieri and Hughton sharing the spoils in this encounter.
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