Fulham play host to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening knowing that victory will move them outside of the Premier League relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the Seagulls make the trip to Craven Cottage on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Leicester City, a result which has left the club just two points above the bottom three.

Match preview

When Fulham shipped three first-half goals against Everton last month, there was the feeling that Scott Parker would soon be removed from his role in the dugout.

However, claiming four points from games with Leicester City, Manchester City and Liverpool has changed the mood at Craven Cottage ahead of the club's most important fixture of the season so far.

While there would have been disappointment after failing to hold onto a lead against the champions, earning a deserved share of the spoils in front of a 2,000-strong crowd would have lifted everyone associated with the West Londoners.

With Newcastle United to follow the meeting with Brighton, Parker will acknowledge that this could be a make-or-break period for both himself and the overall direction of the club.

There are signs that this squad of players are beginning to make progress at both ends of the pitch, but their recent work will be undone if they suffer a ninth defeat in 13 matches on Wednesday.

At a time when Fulham appear to be on an upward trajectory, the same cannot be said of Brighton, who continue to be held back by their inconsistency.

Since earning points from games against Aston Villa and Liverpool, back-to-back setbacks have come versus Southampton and Leicester.

Although Brighton had their moments during the opening quarter, the game at the King Power Stadium on Sunday was the first time that Brighton had not been competitive in a league fixture all season.

Graham Potter will not be particularly concerned at this stage of the season, but the manner of their defeat at the weekend has upped the stakes ahead of a relegation double-header with their next opponents and Sheffield United.

Fulham Premier League form: WLLWLD

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form: LDWDLL

Team News

Potter is expected to make a number of alterations to his Brighton XI, which should include a recall for Adam Webster.

Leandro Trossard is also expected to feature for the Seagulls, but Danny Welbeck may remain in the team after his early substitution at the weekend.

Potter has suggested that Tariq Lamptey will return to the squad after a minor hamstring issue.

Despite the quick turnaround, Parker may opt against making any changes to his Fulham side for this contest.

However, Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic are alternatives to Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the final third.

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Decordova-Reid, Lemina, Anguissa, Robinson; Lookman, Loftus-Cheek; Cavaleiro

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Ryan; White, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Bissouma, Alzate, March; Trossard, Welbeck, Connolly

We say: Fulham 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Potter will be confident that his side will not be outclassed in the same fashion as Sunday evening. Nevertheless, Fulham are enjoying their most productive period of the campaign, and we fancy Parker's side to edge out their opponents in a hard-fought battle in West London.

Top betting tip

Video prediction

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