Brighton vs Fulham Preview – Premier League 2025-26 | Form, Injuries, Lineups & Prediction

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·14 Agustus 2025

Brighton vs Fulham Preview – Premier League 2025-26 | Form, Injuries, Lineups & Prediction

Brighton vs Fulham Preview – Brighton hosts Fulham for the opening fixture of the Premier League 2025‑26 at the Amex. As the Seagulls aim for another strong campaign under Fabian Hurzeler, Fulham look to challenge early and disrupt Brighton’s rhythm. Home advantage and summer signings give Albion a potential edge going into this early-season showdown.

Current Form

Brighton enjoyed a superb pre-season under Fabian Hurzeler, playing eight matches, winning seven, and drawing one. The Seagulls remained unbeaten, showing sharp attacking patterns and high pressing throughout. Hurzeler rotated his squad heavily, with players such as Welbeck, Gruda, Veltman, and Kadioglu all getting minutes. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen returned from injury in their final friendly against Wolfsburg, giving them a timely boost ahead of the opener.

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Fulham also head into the season in strong shape, winning four of their five pre-season fixtures. Their preparations included a 1–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Craven Cottage and a training camp in Portugal, where they faced Nottingham Forest. Marco Silva’s side looked organised defensively, but injuries at left-back remain a concern going into the first match of the campaign.

Head-to-Head Record

In recent meetings, Fulham have lost just once in their last ten matches against Brighton.
Last season’s clash in March ended in a Brighton 2–1 win, with João Pedro winning with a 98th minute penalty.

Injury News & Suspensions

Brighton come into the opener with mixed injury news.

Jack Hinshelwood has returned to training after missing recent pre-season matches.
Carlos Baleba is back in full training following a knee knock during the Marbella camp and could feature if passed fit.
Tariq Lamptey made a 45-minute appearance in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wolfsburg, a positive sign after his recent knee issue.
Bart Verbruggen completed the full 90 minutes in the same game, confirming his fitness.
Charalampos Kostoulas is training but still building match sharpness and may only be an option from the bench.
The big setback is Adam Webster, who is ruled out for the entire season with a knee ligament injury.

Fulham have concerns in defence.

Antonee Robinson is confirmed out for the season opener after a slower-than-expected recovery from knee surgery in May.
Ryan Sessegnon remains a doubt with no recent confirmation of his availability.
Rodrigo Muniz has fully recovered from an Achilles problem, scoring in a pre-season friendly against Aberdeen.
Harrison Reed and Timothy Castagne also returned to action in the same match, boosting Marco Silva’s options.

Injury Summary Table

Manager Quotes

No fresh manager press conference quotes are available from the sources, although the general consensus supports Brighton’s home advantage and Fulham’s aim to exploit their strong recent record against the Seagulls.

Predicted Lineups

Brighton (probable 4-2-3-1):Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Ayari, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; WelbeckUnavailable: Webster, March, Enciso; Fitness doubts: Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gomez, Kostoulas

Fulham (probable 4-2-3-1):Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Castagne; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; JiménezUnavailable: Robinson; Fitness doubts: Sessegnon

Tactical Preview & Key Battles

Brighton are expected to start in Fabian Hurzeler’s high-tempo 4-2-3-1, looking to stretch Fulham’s defensive shape with width and quick ball circulation. Wieffer has been covering at right-back during pre-season, so if Carlos Baleba is not match-ready, the midfield pivot will likely be Yasin Ayari alongside Diego Gómez, providing energy and forward thrust.

On the flanks, Kaoru Mitoma will operate from the left, looking to isolate Fulham’s right-back with direct dribbles and one-twos. On the right, Yankuba Minteh will face Fulham’s stand-in left-back, an area Brighton may target heavily given Antonee Robinson is injured and Ryan Sessegnon is doubtful.

Fulham should also set up in a 4-2-3-1, with Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge anchoring midfield. Highly-rated 18-year-old Joshua King has earned pre-season minutes but will likely be among the substitutes. Fulham’s width will come from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi, with Raúl Jiménez leading the line. Without Robinson, Marco Silva’s side may have to play more conservatively on the left flank to limit Brighton’s threat from Minteh and overlapping runs from Maxim de Cuyper.

Key Battles:

Minteh vs stand-in left-back – With Fulham’s first-choice options out, Minteh’s pace and directness could be Brighton’s most dangerous weapon.
Ayari & Gómez vs Lukic & Berge – Control of central midfield will shape the game’s rhythm, especially with Wieffer at right-back.
Dunk vs Jiménez – Brighton’s captain must marshal the Mexican striker, particularly from crosses and set-pieces.
Mitoma vs Castagne – Mitoma’s ability to beat his man and cut inside will test Fulham’s right-back throughout the 90 minutes.

Brighton’s unbeaten pre-season under Hurzeler has shown their ability to dominate games with intensity and width, but Fulham’s physical central midfield pairing and direct wingers mean the Seagulls will need to guard against quick transitions.