The 2025/26 sees the Premier League season get under way on Saturday, 16 August, at the American Express Community Stadium where the Brighton & Hove Albion host Fulham. Both will go into this curtain-raiser on the back of good pre-seasons but only one will come away with all three points and start the campaign in perfect fashion.
Match Details
- Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham
- Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Venue: American Express Community Stadium
Our prediction for Brighton vs Fulham
Their pre-season results indicate that Brighton are a team which is determined to take off with their 8th place finish last season. Fabian Hurzeler men were impressive during a 2-1 win against Kashima Antlers and 4-0 against QPR, with Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter all in good form. Loss of major players such as Tariq Lamptey, Solly March and Julio Enciso are concerning, but summer additions Charalampos Kostoulas and Maxim De Cuyper bring depth.
Fulham too come in good hop, it having won all its four pre-season matches. The attacking potential is demonstrated through five goals of Harry Wilson and three of Emile Smith Rowe, with Andreas Pereira being in the creative centre. They might be exposed along the left wing by potential loss of the presence of Antonee Robinson.
Look Or a free flowing, attacking game. The home team will have the advantage of the pitch along with momentum of the attack as the host on the day and though, the counter attack will frustrate Brighton, this should be enough to give them the win.
Match Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Fulham
The team review
Brighton
Brighton were inconsistent in pre-season but combine flair with attacking play as a strong area. Hurzeler will insist on sovereignty of possession, the duo of Mitoma and Minteh offering width, and Welbeck up front.
Pre-Season Results:
- L 1-2 vs Southampton (H)
- D 1-1 vs Villarreal (H)
- W 4-0 vs QPR (H)
- L 0-1 vs Tokyo Verdy (A)
- W 2-1 vs Kashima Antlers (A)
Fulham
Marco Silva team were outstanding in pre season and were polished in their finishing skills as well as in their goal defense set up. Wilson and Smith Rowe had been impressive and Raul Jimenez provides an attacking centre forward. The major cause of concern is squad depth and relatively few signings this summer.
Head-to-Head Record
Recent encounters have favoured Fulham as they have won 3 of the last five. Brighton after all, did win the last meeting in March 2025 (2-1) and can be equal to Cottagers.
Last 5 Premier League Meetings:
- 08 Mar 2025: Brighton 2-1 Fulham
- 05 Dec 2024: Fulham 3-1 Brighton
- 02 Mar 2024: Fulham 3-0 Brighton
- 29 Oct 2023: Brighton 1-1 Fulham
- 18 Feb 2023: Brighton 0-1 Fulham
Team News
Brighton
- Out: Tariq Lamptey (Knee, Sept), Solly March (Knee, Sept), Julio Enciso (Meniscus, Oct)
- Doubtful: Stefanos Tzimas (Hamstring), Charalampos Kostoulas (Match fitness)
- Expected fit: Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen
Fulham
- Doubtful: Antonee Robinson (Post-surgery recovery)
Predicted Lineups
Brighton (4-2-3-1)
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Wieffer; Mitoma, O’Riley, Minteh; Welbeck
Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Jimenez
Betting Tips
- Brighton to Win – Odds: 1.92
- Both Teams to Score – Yes – Brighton’s defensive absences and Fulham’s counter-threat suggest goals both ways.
- Correct Score: Brighton 3-1 Fulham
- Player to Score Anytime: Kaoru Mitoma
