Sport

Fulham ready to get back on track as they face Brighton for the first time since 1996

Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham @ AMEX Stadium

Saturday 29 November @ 15:00

Fulham will look to put last week’s defeat to Brentford behind them and rediscover their away form against Brighton at the Amex Saturday on Saturday.

The loss at Griffin Park was the Cottagers’ first since Kit Symons took over permanently in October, but the rejuvenated Londoners will hope to return to winning ways when they take on the Seagulls for the first time in 18 years.

Although just a point separates the two Championship sides, the south-coast club have struggled for wins under Sami Hyypiä, recording just one in their past 10 league games despite being unbeaten in their last three.

Symons’ side are without a win on the road since their visit to Birmingham City on September 27 having lost nearly 70% of away games this season, and the Fulham boss will be hoping to set that record straight facing Brighton, who have scored just nine home league goals this term.

Brighton are boosted by the loan signing of striker Darren Bent, who is expected to be thrust straight into the match-day squad alongside fellow former Fulham players Aaron Hughes, who made just under 200 appearances in Fulham colours, and David Stockdale, who made the switch to the seaside this summer.

Bent has a knack of scoring on debuts having done so for previous employers Charlton Athletic, Sunderland, Aston Villa and of course the Cottagers, in a 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal in August 2013.

Fulham have 19-year-old Manchester City loanee Seko Fofana to call on, the midfielder will be looking to help protect a defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this season and will be without the suspended Dan Burn.

Fernando Amorebieta’s recovery from a knee injury suffered a setback yesterday and the Venezuelan international will join Burn and Tim Hoogland on the Cottagers’ list of missing defenders.

Up front, the feared strike pairing of Hugo Rodallega and Ross McCormack have 11 league goals between them and the two will look to exploit a Brighton defence that has conceded an average of a-goal-a-game at home thus far.

Star Man: Hugo Rodallega

Danger Man: Kazenga Lua-Lua

Last meeting: Fulham 2-0 Brighton, Division Three, September 30 1996.

Feature image courtesy of Treevis, with thanks

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