Match Preview Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham Premier League Game Week 1

Explore Coral’s detailed game week one match preview for Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the 15:00 BST Kick off at The American Express Community Stadium on Saturday, 16 August 2025.

Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Venue: The American Express Community Stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion, under Fabian Hürzeler, aim to build on their 8th-place finish in 2024/25 (61 points, 55 goals) with a solid pre-season (1-1-0), including a win over Wolfsburg (2-1) and a draw with Southampton (2-2). Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer, and Georginio Rutter add flair, though defensive lapses (55 goals conceded in 2024/25) persist. Fulham, after an 11th-place finish in 2024/25 (54 points), showed impressive pre-season form (3-0-0), with wins over Nottingham Forest (1-3), Al Ittihad (4-2), and Frankfurt (1-0). The departure of João Palhinha and injuries to key players weaken their squad, but Rodrigo Muniz and Emile Smith Rowe offer attacking threat.

At The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton’s home advantage and attacking depth (Minteh, Welbeck) should test Fulham’s defence (54 goals conceded in 2024/25). Fulham’s counter-attacking potential (Muniz, Smith Rowe) could exploit Brighton’s defensive issues, but Brighton’s form and home support give them a slight edge in a competitive match.

Match Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Fulham

Brighton’s pre-season was solid (1-1-0), with a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg and a 2-2 draw with Southampton, showcasing their attacking potential. Yankuba Minteh (6 goals in 2024/25) and Danny Welbeck are key. Hürzeler’s 4-2-3-1 will leverage home support and wing pace to dominate possession and create chances against Fulham’s defence.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Win: 2-1 vs Wolfsburg (H)

• Draw: 2-2 vs Southampton (A)

Fulham’s pre-season was impressive (3-0-0), with wins over Nottingham Forest (1-3), Al Ittihad (4-2), and Frankfurt (1-0), highlighting their attacking strength. Rodrigo Muniz and Emile Smith Rowe impressed, but the loss of João Palhinha weakens midfield. Marco Silva’s 4-2-3-1 will rely on Muniz’s finishing and Smith Rowe’s creativity to counter-attack, though their away form (6 wins in 19 games in 2024/25) may struggle against Brighton’s intensity.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Win: 1-0 vs Frankfurt (H)

• Win: 4-2 vs Al Ittihad (H)

• Win: 1-3 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Fulham have edged recent encounters, winning three of the last five Premier League meetings, including a 3-1 victory (5 Dec 2024). Brighton’s sole win (2-1, 8 Mar 2024) and a draw (1-1, 29 Oct 2023) show competitiveness, but Brighton’s home form gives them an advantage.

Recent Premier League Results:

• Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Fulham (08 Mar 2025)

• Fulham 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (05 Dec 2024)

• Fulham 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (02 Mar 2024)

• Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Fulham (29 Oct 2023)

• Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Fulham (18 Feb 2023)

• Solly March: Out (Knee)

• Julio Enciso: Out (Meniscus)

• Stefanos Tzimas: Doubtful (Hamstring)

• Charalampos Kostoulas: Questionable (Lacking match fitness)

• Antonee Robinson: Doubtful (Post-surgery recovery)

Starting XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, van Hecke, Igor, De Cuyper, Wieffer, Baleba, Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck

Brighton’s line-up under Fabian Hürzeler features Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer, and Georginio Rutter. Danny Welbeck leads the attack, with Minteh providing wing pace. The 4-2-3-1 emphasises possession and high pressing to exploit Fulham’s defence.

Starting XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Reed, Traoré, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Muniz

Fulham’s line-up under Marco Silva integrates new signing Emile Smith Rowe, with Rodrigo Muniz leading the attack. Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey anchor the defence, while Alex Iwobi and Adama Traoré add flair. The 4-2-3-1 focuses on compact defending and quick counter-attacks.

• Carlos Baleba vs Sander Berge: Baleba’s energy challenges Berge’s midfield control.

• Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion): His experience and recent form are key to Brighton’s attack.

• Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham): His creativity and goal threat are vital for Fulham’s counter-attacks.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.