Fulham FC vs Brighton & Hove Albion, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Fulham FC vs Brighton & Hove Albion Match Prediction & Analysis

You know that luck is against you when you battle for a hard-earned, well-deserved point against champions Liverpool, and you still end up slipping into the relegation zone as a result.

This was the situation facing Fulham at the weekend, as Burnley’s victory over Arsenal lifted them out of the bottom three at The Cottagers’ expense. Nevertheless, Fulham will have taken confidence from the way they played against Liverpool, leading the match until the 79th minute.

They also have a couple of wins to their name this season, something which they didn’t look capable of throughout the initial weeks of the season. Scott Parker will be pleased with their improvement but will be aware that more is needed.

Brighton are in a similar rut, with just two points separating the two sides. Although their performances have been somewhat better than Fulham’s, they have failed to convert these into results.

This is a huge match for both teams.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Fulham FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LLWLD

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Showed real quality at times against Liverpool

     Picked up four points from last three matches

Reasons to be fearful:

     Must start converting performances into results

     Good work will be undone in they lose 

Manager Scott Parker spoke of the disappointment after the Liverpool match of not being able to hold onto victory, something which shows the improvements this Fulham side have made.

Against the odds, they have managed to claim four points from their recent run of fixtures against Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool and face a slightly kinder schedule throughout the remainder of December.

Parker will be wary of allowing all their good work to go undone, of course – if they were to lose against Brighton, it would represent their 9th defeat in 13 matches. 

Fortunately, Brighton’s form is far from special of late and Fulham should be thinking they can claim a much-needed victory here.

Star Man – Bobby De Cordova-Reid

Scored in three consecutive home matches for the first time in his career

Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DWDLL

Reasons to be cheerful

     Tariq Lamptey could return to the team after hamstring problem

     Have shown they possess quality at times this season

Reasons to be fearful 

     Were completely outclassed against Leicester at the weekend

     21 goals conceded is the joint-third highest in the league

Earlier in the season, Brighton were a tough team to play against, one who had a solidity about their midfield, proving hard to beat as Manchester United and Liverpool both found out in their respective fixtures.

Of late, however, The Seagulls have developed a soft side which has seen the number of goals conceded rise to the joint-third highest in the league. They were completely outclassed by Leicester at the weekend, conceding three in the first half.

There have been positives – the introduction of Danny Welbeck has been a clever move and a win from one of their next few fixtures could lift them several places up the table.

However, they must be careful not to get dragged down in a relegation battle, with only two points separating these two sides and Burnley now looking as though they’ll be leapfrogging them sooner rather than later.

Star Man – Leandro Trossard

Is likely to come back into the side after sitting out the defeat to Leicester. His creativity can cause problems.