Two surprise packages battling to qualify for Europe will face off in the Premier League on Saturday, as Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Fulham to the Amex Stadium.
The two teams are level on 35 points in the top-flight standings, with the Seagulls in sixth sitting just above seventh-placed Fulham – who have played two games more – on goal difference.
Match preview
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The use of VAR in the Premier League was once again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons over the weekend, and a "human error" prevented Brighton from claiming all three points in the M23 derby against Crystal Palace.
Pervis Estupinan was denied his first Brighton goal midway through the first half, after VAR official John Brooks incorrectly drew the wrong line to award an offside decision against the Ecuadorian, and the Seagulls were eventually held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park despite boasting 75% possession and 17 shots on goal.
Palace defender James Tomkins capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Robert Sanchez to head home a 69th-minute equaliser, just six minutes after Solly March had put Brighton in front with a close-range volley.
Nevertheless, Roberto De Zerbi's men have extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to seven matches in 2023, and they are just six points behind the Champions League positions having played a game less than Newcastle United in fourth.
Brighton, who have scored more Premier League goals (24) than any other team across the last 10 fixtures, head into Saturday's encounter having won each of their last three home games in all competitions, including two impressive victories over Liverpool.
However, extending their winning home streak to four matches could prove challenging, as they have failed to win any of their previous five Premier League meetings with Fulham, drawing three times and losing twice.
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After failing to win three successive Premier League games against Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, Fulham returned to winning ways with a routine 2-0 success at home against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
A stunning opener from Willian in the first half was followed by a late second-half strike from substitute Manor Solomon to help the Cottagers claim their 10th top-flight victory of the season – twice as many as they won in their last Premier League season in 2020-21.
Like Brighton, Marco Silva's men have exceeded expectations this term and the club's supporters are dreaming of a return to Europe for the first time since losing the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid in 2009-10.
Fulham boast the best points tally (35) for a promoted team after their first 23 matches of a top-flight season since Wigan Athletic (37) 17 years ago, and the Cottagers are on course to match or better their highest-ever Premier League finish of seventh place in the 2008-09 campaign.
If Fulham are to breach Brighton's backline on Saturday, they may have to rely on their expertise from set-pieces as no other Premier League team has scored more goals from dead-ball situations than the Cottagers (15) so far this season, while the Seagulls have conceded a league-high 46.4% of their goals from set-pieces (13 out of 28).
Silva's side have already beaten Brighton this season, claiming a 2-1 home victory back in August, and another three points secured this weekend would see them complete the double over the South-coast outfit for the first time since 1992-93 when they were competing in the third tier of English football.
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Brighton boss De Zerbi has confirmed that midfielder Adam Lallana is ruled out for "months" with a "big injury", while Danny Welbeck (calf), Billy Gilmour (knock), Levi Colwill (muscle) and Jakub Moder (knee) will also miss Saturday's fixture due to injury.
Evan Ferguson recovered from a knee problem to feature as a substitute last time out, and the teenage striker could be recalled to the first XI at the expense of Deniz Undav.
March, who has scored five goals in his last seven Premier League matches, is set to continue on the right flank, with fellow in-form winger Kaoru Mitoma expected to operate on the opposite side, while Alexis Mac Allister, Pascal Gross and Moises Caicedo could all continue in centre-midfield.
As for Fulham, Tom Cairney is facing between two and three weeks out with a shin injury, and the midfielder joins long-term absentee Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) on the sidelines.
Antonee Robinson had been suffering with illness at the beginning of this week, but the American should be fit to start at left-back, joining Tim Ream, Issa Diop and Kenny Tete in the back four.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored more goals against Brighton (four) than against any other Premier League team in his career, is expected to recover from a knock to lead the line, with support provided on the flanks by Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan; Caicedo, Mac Allister; March, Gross, Mitoma; Ferguson
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Fulham
An entertaining contest between two teams full of confidence and flying high at the right end of the table is set to take place on Saturday, and both sides will fancy their chances of creating numerous goalscoring opportunities in the final third.
Brighton may be considered slight favourites considering their recent home form, but with little to separate these two teams, the spoils could be shared on this occasion.
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Top tip
Oliver Thomas
