Before The Whistle: Fulham v Brighton and Hove Albion

Ah, mid-table mediocrity.

We’ve lost just one in our last five games, yet we’re firmly entrenched in 12th place. And what’s more, media darlings Brighton come to the Cottage as favourites, sitting five places above us in the lofty heights of seventh despite winning just one game more than us this term.

When people talk about the table ‘shaking out’, this is exactly what they mean. Nevertheless, we still need to make it to the (increasingly unnecessary) 40-point mark, and a win on the weekend would take us to within five points of that figure.

The boys will be bringing the high of that dramatic Old Trafford win, and one would anticipate a starting XI with very few, if any, changes ahead of the game.

Rodrigo Muniz’s development increasingly looks like it’s going to cost us £4m, which I think we’re all fine with, providing he doesn’t turn back into a pumpkin as soon as Broja swans back to Stamford Bridge. Our Brazilian is almost certain to start up top.

Joao’s ban for 10 yellows is two games, but whether Marco will keep both Lukic and Reed in the middle for a home game in which we can expect more of the ball remains to be seen. Tom Cairney could well slot back in – at the expense of who we’ll have to wait and see.

Men of the moment Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are certain to start. Bassey’s best partner (for now) appears to be Tosin, so there’ll be no meddling there, and Wilson will hope he did enough to keep his place ahead of Willian, who we all know can come back in and do damage whenever he pleases.

Win, and we’re suddenly just four victories away from equalling our record Premier League W tally, which we achieved last season. All those points would put us on 47 – and we’d probably still be 12th. You Whites.

ℹ️ MATCH DETAILS

Kick-Off: Saturday, 3.00PM
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Competition: Premier League
TV Channel (UK): None

🚦 LEAGUE FORM

Fulham: ❌ ⬜ ⬜ ✅ ❌ ✅
Brighton: ⬜ ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅ ⬜

⚖️ MATCH PROBABILITY

Fulham: 33.1%
Draw: 29.4%
Brighton: 37.5%

🥊 MOST RECENT MATCHES

Oct 23: Brighton 1-1 Fulham
May 23: Brighton 0-1 Fulham
Aug 22: Fulham 2-1 Brighton
Nov 21: Brighton 0-0 Fulham

🎙 NEW PODCAST: Going For Gull’d

A tactical breakdown of Saturday’s victory, plus can we grab back-to-back wins in the league?

📱 FULHAMISH ON WHATSAPP

Get match previews and reviews, as well as line-ups, match updates and breaking news straight to your phone by signing up to the Fulhamish WhatsApp channel.