Brighton are one of the favourites for automatic promotion having narrowly missed out last year, missing out on goal difference before a play-off defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Manager Chris Hughton already had one of the best squads in the Championship and he added wisely in the summer bringing in central defender Shane Duffy, midfielder Oliver Norwood and striker Glenn Murray who have all improved the team.

After a slightly bumpy start to the season they have gone on an excellent run and last Friday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa not only helped them go clear in 2nd, but extended their unbeaten run to 9 games.

They have only lost at the AMEX twice this season and have scored the second highest number of home goals this season.

The partnership of Duffy and Dunk at the back is the best in the division and with Glenn Murray finding the net regularly, they look real contenders for promotion.

Fulham are in decent form as well though and will provide a stern test.

Here is the Brighton XI that can beat Fulham on Saturday.....

GK - David Stockdale

Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield Wednesday - Sky Bet Football League Championship Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg

Brighton lack real depth in the goalkeeping department with no real back-up for David Stockdale. But whilst fit, Jason Stockdale is a good option for the Seagulls given his consistent form last season and so far this season.

In the 9 game unbeaten run, Stockdale started every game and has kept 6 clean sheets plus Brighton have the best defence in the league so far.

Brighton fans may want the club to invest in a decent second choice though in case he gets injured.

LB - Gaetan Bong

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Bong is one of the best left backs in the division and his form for Brighton so far is impressive.

Bong's injury last season may of been the reason they missed out on promotion and fans now see him as a key part of the back 4 with him an excellent attacking force but also good defensively.

RB - Bruno Saltor

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Another immensely underrated Brighton player is Bruno Saltor who is closing in on 200 appearances for the side.

He looks rejuvenated in the last couple of seasons and was the division's best right back last year showing outstanding attacking ability for a man of his age.

CB - Lewis Dunk

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Dunk is widely seen as one of the best centre backs in the Championship and is a huge asset to Brighton.

His partnership with Conor Goldson was the second best in the league last season and the partnership with Shane Duffy is statistically the best so far, with just 10 goals conceded.

25-year-old Dunk is tipped for a big future and he will hope it's with Brighton in the Premier League.

 

CB - Shane Duffy

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Duffy was playing for a struggling Blackburn side, though is now playing for high-flying Brighton.

Duffy who plays a prominent part for Ireland earned a big move to Brighton and his partnership with Dunk has been outstanding.

CM - Dale Stephens

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Brighton have an embarrassment of riches in midfield with Steve Sidwell and Oliver Norwood joining when Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal had already established a great partnership.

The duo of Kayal and Stephens was the best central midfield partnership in the league last season with Stephens' work rate extremely impressive.

The injury to Kayal makes Stephens essential in midfield with his defensive work-rate key to the great defensive record.

CM - Steve Sidwell

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Despite Norwood's excellent performances for Reading earning him a move to Brighton, he has had to play second fiddle to Steve Sidwell this season.

Joining a very talented pool of midfielders, Sidwell has a real fight to stave Norwood and Kayal off but so far he's doing it well.

He has looked solid, tough tackling and is picking good passes.

He also knows how to score as he showed with a screamer from the halfway line against Bristol City a couple of weeks back.

LM - Jiri Skalak

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When Solly March returns he and Jamie Murphy will face a big fight with Jiri Skalak for a starting spot but for now the Czech international is doing enough to hold them off.

Towards the end of last season he and Knockaert used their pace and crossing to rip defences apart and they have continued in the same vein this season.

Skalak is an excellent crosser, supplying Baldock and Murray with plenty of chances.

RM - Anthony Knockaert

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One of the Championship's most impressive play-makers is French winger Anthony Knockaert.

He is a crucial spark of creative ability and already this season he has 6 goals more than any other winger.

His pace can unlock any defence and his shots and vision will frighten any goalkeeper.

ST - Sam Baldock

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Baldock deserves a lot of credit for the work he does for Brighton over the last 2 seasons, especially even if the goal return hasn't been anything special.

Baldock holds the ball up well and breaks down defences setting up plenty of chances for Murray.

Their link up play has been outstanding and he deserves the start ahead of Hemed so far, he just needs to add a few more goals to his game and become a more complete player.

ST - Glenn Murray

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Brighton scored a glut of goals last season with Tomer Hemed having an excellent first season in English football, but he has been second fiddle to Murray so far.

Murray played a huge part in getting promotion for Brighton's rivals Crystal Palace scoring 30 goals before suffering with injuries.

His finishing is outstanding and is currently the second top scorer in the Championship with 10 goals.

His excellent goal on Friday against Aston Villa shows his quality and his importance to the Brighton side.

Thoughts Brighton fans? Leave comments below!