Fulham Under-18s will look to start their year in style on Saturday, with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion (KO 11am).
Form
Brighton:
The Christmas break couldn't have come at a better time for the young Seagulls, who suffered defeat in each of their last three league games of the year. Two narrow defeats to Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur were followed up by a disappointing 6-1 loss against league leaders Chelsea. Brighton made a good start to the season and so sit in eighth despite the recent lack of form. They sit six points behind our 18s.
Fulham:
The young Whites put in some decent performances towards the end of 2021 but couldn't quite pick up the points they often deserved. They are without a win in six league games but have drawn four of those fixtures. The lads are currently six points off the top spot and will be hoping to return to winning ways this weekend.
Last Time Out
With this being the first time these sides have met this season, you need to go right back to last January to find their previous clash. It was a particularly entertaining game at LSE with nine goals going in and thankfully, six of them came the way of our lads. The visitors fought back from behind twice to make it 2-2, before the young Whites switched it up a gear and bagged another four.
Player Thoughts
Cypriot international George Okkas feels the Christmas break came at a good time for his side.
"I think the break was needed to be honest. We had a busy schedule and maybe fatigue crept in at some stages. We're feeling good and have come back with lots of energy.
"We've been working on our pressing and fitness as a whole and are ready to work hard."
Okkas is hoping that a win on Saturday will prove to be the catalyst moving forward.
"Our recent results haven't been as good as we would have wanted, but we all feel a win would really boost confidence and help build momentum."
Despite Brighton struggling for form, the approach remains the same according to the 18-year-old.
"We're in a good place right now as a team and whoever we face I always feel we have a good chance of winning. I'm confident in the rest of the group and hopefully we can kick 2022 off in the right way this weekend."
