Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham both impressed as part of the Premier League’s upwardly mobile middle class last season, although neither team was able to get over the line in their bid for European qualification.
Reaching continental competition would be an excellent outcome this season, but both Brighton and Fulham fans would probably settle for a top-half finish. Who will win this one?
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham best bets
- Brighton to win – 10/11 with SBK
- Under 2.5 goals – 11/10 with Betfred
- Danny Welbeck to score any time – 13/8 with Tote
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham odds
Find the latest Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham predictions
Brighton & Hove Albion were consistently inconsistent last season.
The side from the south coast ended the campaign unbeaten in five games having failed to win any of their previous five matches. Brighton beat Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, yet lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest.
In the end, though, an eighth-place finish was a respectable outcome in Fabian Hurzeler’s first season at the club.
Hurzeler had big shoes to fill after replacing Roberto De Zerbi, but it is worth remembering that Brighton finished outside the top half in the Italian’s last campaign at the helm. Brighton added 13 points to their tally under Hurzeler.
Even so, there are one or two question marks hanging over the 32-year-old, who at his tender age is having to learn on the job.
Hurzeler was accused of being naive on more than one occasion last season, while Brighton’s defence was the leakiest of all top-half teams. The Seagulls kept just eight clean sheets, the same number as relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Brighton have sold Pervis Estupinan and Joao Pedro this summer, with Diego Coppola, Tom Watson, Charalampos Kostoulas, Olivier Boscagli and Maxim De Cuyper the main arrivals. Most of those players will be unfamiliar to all but European football aficionados, but Brighton are experts at unearthing gems.
Fulham have had a quieter summer after their 11th-place finish in 2024/25. Back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte has been the only addition to date, but Fulham have at least not lost any key members of last season’s squad.
They have also retained Marco Silva, who was linked with Tottenham Hotspur before the north Londoners appointed Thomas Frank. Silva has done a fantastic job at Craven Cottage, but recent reports suggest the manager is frustrated with the lack of transfer activity up to now.
Unless they improve their squad significantly over the next few weeks, it will be difficult for Fulham to launch a sustained push for Europe. Standing still is akin to going backwards in the Premier League, so Silva will hope to get some more players in before the September 1 deadline.
The Portuguese tactician only has one more year left on his contract, and Fulham fans are starting to worry that he will be managing elsewhere at the start of 2026/27. For now, though, Silva will be fully focused on his team’s latest trip to the Amex Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham betting tips
Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Fulham to the Amex Stadium on matchday one.
Brighton to kick-start season with win
Brighton only lost three games at home last season, but they drew eight of their 19 matches in front of their own supporters, second only to Everton.
Albion would have qualified for Europe had they turned just a couple of those ties into wins, so Hurzeler’s team must become more reliable at the Amex this term.
There is an argument to be made that Fulham’s greater continuity will be beneficial on the opening weekend, but Brighton are unlikely to hand starts to all of their summer signings.
They have more options at their disposal than Fulham right now, and that should work in their favour.
Brighton can get their season started with a victory over the Cottagers.
Select a win for Brighton at 10/11 with SBK
Goals could be at a premium
For better or worse, Brighton were one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League last time out.
Their 38 games contained a total of 125 goals, which worked out at 3.29 strikes every 90 minutes.
Brighton did a good job of sharing the goals around, but the loss of Joao Pedro to Chelsea may harm their output in the final third, at least initially until others get up to speed.
Fulham will be without Antonee Robinson this weekend; while nominally a defender, the flying full-back’s absence harms the team’s attacking output more than their solidity.
All things considered, goals could be at a premium at the Amex.
Choose under 2.5 goals at 11/10 with Betfred
Welbeck to show age is just a number
For the first time in his career, Danny Welbeck reached double figures for Premier League goals last season.
Welbeck is ageing like a fine wine and he remains an integral part of this Brighton team at the age of 34.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal man has never been the most prolific forward, but he has become a more reliable finisher in recent years.
Welbeck will be a thorn in Fulham’s side. If he is supplied with opportunities , there is a good chance the ex-England international will take one.
Back Danny Welbeck to score any time at 13/8 with Tote
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham predicted lineups
- Brighton & Hove Albion expected lineup: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Wieffer; Mitoma, O’Riley, Minteh, Welbeck.
- Fulham expected lineup: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi, Jimenez.
Where to watch Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham
- Location: Amex Stadium, Brighton, England
- Date and time: Saturday 16th August, 3pm
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK
More Premier League predictions
We have looked ahead to several other matches on the opening weekend – here are our latest Premier League predictions and betting tips.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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