De Cuyper Anticipates Thriving Partnership with Mitoma at Brighton

Maxim de Cuyper, the newly acquired defender for Brighton, is brimming with anticipation as he prepares for his inaugural season in English football. De Cuyper confidently envisions forging a formidable partnership with Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton's dynamic winger, believing their combined skills will significantly bolster the team's performance throughout the season.

Brighton secured De Cuyper's services this summer, bringing him in from Club Brugge, a prominent Belgian club. The transfer deal is estimated to be around £17.3 million (€20 million), and De Cuyper has committed to a five-year contract with the Seagulls. His arrival is seen as a strategic move to fill the void left by Pervis Estupinan, who recently transitioned to AC Milan.

De Cuyper's experience in the Champions League, where he played 12 matches for Brugge, adds a valuable dimension to Brighton's squad. His versatility and proven track record on a major European stage signal his readiness to immediately contribute to Brighton's ambitions. In Brighton’s final pre-season match against Wolfsburg, he found the net and combined well with Mitoma on the left flank. De Cuyper’s goal underscored his ability to integrate seamlessly into the team's attacking play, hinting at the potential for a potent left-side partnership with Mitoma.

The Belgian international is poised to inject a potent offensive dynamic into Fabian Hurzeler’s tactical setup. As Brighton gears up to kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham this Saturday, De Cuyper’s enthusiasm is palpable. He is eager to showcase his capabilities and contribute to a successful start for his new club.

"If you can play with a winger like this, I think everybody knows his qualities," De Cuyper remarked on the club's website, emphasizing his respect for Mitoma’s abilities. He elaborated on how Mitoma’s presence can create opportunities for him: "If I can take advantage of his qualities and if he's pulling two defenders to him, it gives me more space to do something. I think we have good co-operation between each other, and we can use it."

De Cuyper downplayed his goal against Wolfsburg, but noted that it could be a sign of things to come. "It was just a good goal, nothing special. It can be that I will be there often, but at the right time. Not every attack I will be there, so I'll have to take my moments and hopefully can score more goals." This statement reflects his tactical awareness and disciplined approach to integrating into the team's offensive strategy.

Brighton's opening match opponent, Fulham, also had a strong pre-season. Under the guidance of Marco Silva, Fulham secured victories against Nottingham Forest, Al-Ittihad, and Eintracht Frankfurt, displaying their readiness for the upcoming challenges. Raul Jimenez, Fulham’s leading scorer in the 2024-25 Premier League season with 12 goals, had a delayed return to pre-season training following his participation in Mexico’s Gold Cup victory in July. Despite the late return, Jiminez scored the winning goal in the friendly against Frankfurt, signaling his sharpness and determination to continue his scoring form.

Jimenez expressed optimism about the season ahead, stating, "I’m really happy to finish pre-season with a win and a goal." He added, "The good thing is that I had time to rest, but there also was not a lot of time, so it was not difficult to back to full fitness with the team. I’m doing well." He is focused on building upon his previous success and contributing to Fulham's strong start.

Looking ahead to the match, Jimenez stated, "I think the team is ready. We have been getting good results during pre-season. We know it is different when we start the Premier League, but we are going to give our best to set our standards and do well in the league." His confidence underscores Fulham’s collective determination to perform strongly from the outset.

Players to Watch

Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma

Mitoma’s exceptional form at the end of the 2024-25 season saw him score or assist in four of his final five Premier League matches. This dynamic winger presents a constant threat to opposing defenses. His ability to create scoring opportunities and contribute directly with goals makes him a key player to watch for Brighton.

The Japan international had a stellar season, scoring 10 league goals and providing four assists, marking his most productive season with Brighton in terms of goal involvements. Mitoma’s pace, dribbling skills, and ability to deliver pinpoint crosses make him a nightmare for defenders and a crucial component of Brighton’s attack.

Fulham – Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi enjoyed his best scoring season in the league last year, netting nine goals while also recording six assists. His versatility and attacking prowess make him a significant threat in Fulham's lineup.

Iwobi has a notable record against Brighton, having been involved in more Premier League goals against them than against most other teams. He has scored three goals and provided three assists against the Seagulls, making them the only side against whom he has both scored and assisted at least three goals. Iwobi’s creativity and ability to find the back of the net will be vital for Fulham’s attacking ambitions.

Match Prediction – Brighton Win

Brighton have demonstrated impressive form since their 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in February. Following that loss, they outscored every Premier League team with 31 goals. Only Manchester City and Aston Villa picked up more points than Brighton in that time. Brighton have won their opening league match in each of the last four seasons. Brighton beat Fulham 2-1 in March, ending a nine-game winless run against the Cottagers in the Premier League.

Fulham have won just one of their last seven away league games against Brighton. They have also won their opening league match in just one of the last eight campaigns. Fulham have won 50% of their 10 Premier League games against Brighton.

Opta Win Probability

• Brighton – 49.1%
• Draw – 24.5%
• Fulham – 26.4%