Chelsea

One bit of news to bring you before we have a quick lunch break.

Chelsea have announced captain Reece James has undergone successful minor knee surgery following an injury in training.

The England international missed out on the Blues' 5-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend and is now set to undergo a period of rehabilitation.

We will hear more on this from Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso when he speaks to the media at 13:30 BST.

Brighton & Hove Albion

A final word from Fabian Hurzeler, who was quick in his response to a question about what he enjoys about Brighton's rivalry with Crystal Palace.

"Nothing yet," said the Seagulls boss, as he looks for his first win against the Eagles after a four-game winless run.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also spoke on the impressive form of Pascal Gross:

"It shows he has all this capacity in his body and the second part, for me, is his understanding of football.

"He understands so good which space he has to be in. He understands the game plan so well. He understands different dynamics on the pitch.

"Sometimes he's one step further than his opponent, so he might not be the quickest player but sometimes he can be the quickest in the head and sometimes being quickest in the head is helpful."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Right, let's hear from Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, starting with some team news: "With [Yankuba] Minteh and Mats Wieffer I think we will see a quite quick return. With Kaoru [Mitoma] I hope [for him to be back] for the international break, but we have to be a bit more patient."

On Pascal Struijk's fitness: "He gets another day of recovery and we will see how he is tomorrow and then we make a decision."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton may be third in the Premier League, top of the Conference League and into the last 16 of the League Cup, but will their impressive early season form count for much when they host rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday?

Fabian Hurzeler is looking for his first win against Palace this weekend. Since he joined in 2024 the Seagulls have not beaten the Eagles in any of their last four Premier League games against their rivals - losing three.

Now Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi was in charge when Brighton last secured all three points in a 4-1 victory against Roy Hodgson's Palace in February 2024.

Off the back of a brilliant start to the season and a 4-0 victory over Kauno Zalgiris in the Conference League, Hurzeler will be hoping to continue his side's fine form and take all three points on Sunday.

Brighton's last four results against Palace:

• 1-0 loss - February 2026
• 0-0 draw - November 2025
• 2-1 loss - April 2025
• 3-1 loss - December 2024

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

When Brighton lost at home to Crystal Palace in February, Fabian Hurzeler was booed by his own supporters and subjected to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning".

"There are only two options," said the German after the 1-0 defeat by their fierce rivals left his team floundering 14th in the table with one win in 12 Premier League matches.

"Give up or keep pushing harder, and that's always the option I choose in my life."

Eight months on, Brighton are reaping the benefits of keeping faith with the man who became the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when he was appointed in June 2024 at the age of 31.

Palace return to Amex Stadium on Sunday (14:00 BST kick-off) to face opponents who are third in the table after statement wins over defending champions Arsenal and Europa League winners Aston Villa.

Hurzeler's stock has rocketed after 11 wins in 18 top-flight games, a run that has propelled the Seagulls back into Europe and left fans - who shouted "you don't know what you're doing" at him just a few months ago - worried that he could be lured away.

Following last Saturday's win at Sunderland, there was chat on the post-match phone-ins that Hurzeler, rewarded with a new long-term contract before the end of last season and given £150m to spend on signings in the summer, could be a prime target for a big club looking for a manager.

"You learn more about yourself and the people around you when you are losing games," former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told BBC Sport in reference to last season's poor run.

"Hurzeler has come out the other side and the way he has got this group of players performing is exceptional."

• Read more about Hurzeler's story here

Right, from a club that may well be suffering from an identity problem to one that most certainly is not...

Fulham

On that not so positive note from Chris Sutton, we are going to leave Fulham with at least a bit of semi-positive team news.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa says almost everyone is available - Hugo Larsson is the only doubt with a groin issue.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League winner

This feels like a massive game for Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who is still waiting for his first league win.

They had it in the bag against Ipswich last week so losing that game so late on was just desperate for them.

I've watched Fulham a couple of times this season, against Liverpool and Manchester United, and they played well both times without getting over the line.

After this game, they go to Coventry next. I know the Cottagers are not a club known for going through managers but if they lose this then the pressure will really be on Arbeloa.

Fulham

Image source, Getty Images

Despite coming under increasing pressure, Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa said after that damaging defeat at newly promoted Ipswich that he does not feel fear.

"I never worry about my position," said former Real Madrid manager Arbeloa.

"I don't feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it. You have to work, take the decision and you need to show confidence to your players.

"For me I am so happy with many things that they are doing. I know it is not easy for them.

"It's not about my position, it is about Fulham's position. That is the most important thing. Obviously it is just six games, but it is true we need points."

Image source, Getty Images

When Marco Silva was appointed Fulham boss in 2021 he brought a stability to the club that ensured they were competitive in the Premier League, without ever really being in danger of being relegated.

Silva departed in the summer to become head coach of Benfica and in appointing Arbeloa as his replacement, Fulham were undoubtedly taking a bit of a gamble.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid player arrived with limited managerial experience at senior level, having had a brief spell in charge of Real Madrid from January until May this year.

The biggest problem Fulham have had under him is conceding late goals, with his side having let in goals in the final 15 minutes in four of their six Premier League matches.

Last time out, they conceded an eqauliser at Ipswich in the 88th minute, before Dara O'Shea stuck the knife in with a 91st-minute winner.

Fulham

Fulham's only victories under Alvaro Arbeloa have come in the League Cup this season.

They host Crystal Palace in the last 16 later this month, after upcoming Premier League games against two promoted sides - at home to Hull City on Saturday and away to Coventry next weekend.

Reports suggest that Arbeloa may need positive results against Hull and Coventry to retain his position as head coach for that League Cup tie.

The Spaniard has pointed out that his side have been competitive in games and just need a bit of good fortune to get over the line and claim their first league win.

Will that come against Hull?

Fulham's results this season:

• Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
• Fulham 3-0 AFC Wimbledon (League Cup)
• Sunderland 1-0 Fulham
• Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
• Liverpool 0-0 Fulham
• West Ham 2-3 Fulham (League Cup)
• Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
• Ipswich 2-1 Fulham

Fulham

Alvaro Arbeloa on the Fulham fans and how important their support is on Saturday:

"They are the most important thing in this club. They were here before any of us arrived. The club belongs to them.

"The only thing we are thinking about is to get the victory for them and to give everything tomorrow."

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeola was pressed more on whether tomorrow is a must-win game for his future:

"It is not about my future. Like I said before, it is about the club and my players. They are looking for the reward and looking for a game where they can get a win for the supporters, they deserve it because of their support.

"It is important for all of us. I think it is not about me."

Fulham

More from Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa on whether he has asked the club for any clarity on his future:

"No, no. For me it has been a normal week where we have been working hard and preparing for a difficult match against a very difficult team."

Confident he has the backing of the players to execute the plan?: "They did for many minutes against Ipswich. We did against Manchester United and we did against Liverpool. For me we need to try to keep that level for 90 minutes, that is important.

"I saw the commitment of the players in how they have been training. They are so focused on tomorrow's game. The most important thing is the performance of my players."

Image source, Getty Images