Fulham vs Brighton

A high-stakes mid-table battle is set for the Thameside today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, as Fulham hosts Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET).

Separated by just a single point in the standings, this match is a classic "six-pointer" for European aspirations. Fulham currently sits in 11th place (31 points), while Brighton follows closely in 12th (30 points). With the table so tight, the winner could leapfrog as high as 6th place by the end of the weekend.

Match Information

Fulham: Back to the Cottage Fortress

Marco Silva's men saw their impressive six-game unbeaten run snapped last weekend in a narrow 1–0 loss to Leeds United. However, they return to the friendly confines of Craven Cottage, where they have secured nearly 65% of their total points this season. The big news for the Whites is the timely return of their Nigerian contingent from international duty.

Team News and Selection:

• Midfield Blow: Saša Lukić is ruled out for up to five weeks with a serious hamstring injury sustained at Elland Road.

• AFCON Returns: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze are all back and expected to be thrust straight into the starting XI.

• Injury Updates: Kenny Tete and Rodrigo Muniz have returned to training but are unlikely to start. Emile Smith Rowe is fit despite a fatigue-related withdrawal last week.

• Key Player: Raúl Jiménez remains the focal point; all five of his league goals this season have put Fulham into the lead.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Wilson, Smith Rowe; Jiménez.

Brighton: The Comeback Specialists

Fabian Hürzeler’s Seagulls have earned a reputation as the league's "escape artists," avoiding defeat in a league-high eight matches after conceding the first goal. They arrive in London on a five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, most recently snatching a 1–1 draw against Bournemouth thanks to a spectacular overhead kick from young starlet Charalampos Kostoulas.

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Boost: Maxim De Cuyper is available again after missing the last match due to illness.

• Midfield Battle: Carlos Baleba is pushing to replace Jack Hinshelwood in the pivot alongside the veteran Pascal Groß.

• Missing Pieces: Brighton remains without Solly March, Adam Webster, Mats Wieffer, and Stéfanos Tzímas.

• Key Player: Danny Welbeck continues his evergreen form, leading the team with 8 Premier League goals this season.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Groß, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The "Bogey" Team: Brighton has won just one of their 11 Premier League meetings with Fulham—their lowest win rate against any top-flight opponent.

• Home Dominance: Fulham is unbeaten in all five of their Premier League home encounters with the Seagulls (W4, D1).

• Capital Struggles: Brighton has won only two of their last 18 Premier League away games against London-based clubs.

• Discipline: Brighton currently ranks in the top three for the most yellow cards and fouls committed in the league this term.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

This match features a fascinating tactical clash: Fulham’s structured, home-heavy aggression against Brighton’s fluid, high-possession style. Marco Silva will likely use the pace of Chukwueze and Harry Wilson to exploit Brighton's high defensive line, a strategy that has traditionally worked well for the Cottagers in this fixture.

Brighton will rely on Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter to create overloads on the wings, but their historical struggles at Craven Cottage and their poor record in London are hard to ignore. Expect a high-energy affair where Fulham’s home advantage and the return of key AFCON stars give them the edge.

Final Score Prediction: Fulham 2–1 Brighton