Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion: Likely line-ups for Premier League clash

Brighton winger Solly March. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

The Cottagers were promoted from the Championship through the play-offs last season but are second from bottom in the top flight this campaign, with just 14 points from 23 games.

Claudio Ranieri replaced Slavisa Jokanovic as manager in November and has collected nine points from his 11 matches in charge. They have lost their last four matches in all competitions.

Brighton sit 13th in the Premier League, seven points clear of the relegation zone and 12 points ahead of Fulham.

The sides drew 2-2 at the Amex earlier in the season. Fulham went 2-0 ahead with goals from Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic after Albion midfielder Pascal Gross had a penalty saved.

The Seagulls fought back to earn a point thanks to a double from Glenn Murray, the second came from the penalty spot after Mitrovic handled in the area.

FULHAM

The Cottagers impressed in their last match when they lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham, who got the winner deep in injury-time.

Ryan Babel joined Fulham from Besiktas earlier this month and was lively in their loss to Spurs.

Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri could name the same starting 11 which began the defeat to Tottenham.

Forward Aboubakar Kamara has reportedly been suspended by the club after a incident at the training ground.

Defender Alfie Mawson is out with a knee injury.

Likely line-up: Rico, Christie, Odoi, Ream, Le Marchard; Chambers, Seri; Bryan, Schurrle, Babel; Mitrovic. Subs (from): Bettinelli, R.Sessegnon, Kebano, Cairney, Ayite, Vietto, Cisse, S.Sessegnon.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan is back available after the Socceroos lost in the Asian Cup quarter-finals last week.

Despite David Button impressing between the sticks in the last month, Ryan is likely to come back into the starting 11 at Craven Cottage.

Lewis Dunk, Gaetan Bong, Davy Propper, Solly March, Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray are all likely to come back into the starting line-up after either being on the bench or rested for the 0-0 FA Cup draw with West Brom on Saturday.

Left-back Bernardo and winger Jose Izquierdo are again ruled out through injury, while winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is still at the Asian Cup with Iran. They play their semi-final against Japan today.

Likely line-up: Ryan; Montoya, Dunk, Duffy, Bernardo; Stephens, Propper, Gross; March, Murray, Locadia. Subs (from): Button, Bruno, Burn, Balogun, Kayal, Bissouma, Knockaert, Gyokeres, Andone.

HAVE YOU READ?

Brighton & Hove Albion v West Brom player ratings

Brighton v West Brom picture gallery

Button hopes Hughton has a selection headache with Ryan returning from Asian Cup

Burn glad to impress on Brighton debut

Six things we learned from Brighton & Hove Albion v West Brom