After a tough defeat at Kenilworth Road, Brighton & Hove Albion aims to correct their recent setback as Crystal Palace comes to the Amex for the latest M23 derby.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team faced a 4-0 defeat against Luton Town recently, while Roy Hodgson’s squad secured consecutive home victories with a 3-2 win over Sheffield United.
Match preview
Brighton & Hove Albion have shown an unusual scoring pattern after ending 2023 with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur, alternating between high-scoring games and goalless matches.
They recently celebrated a significant FA Cup win against Sheffield United but then suffered a heavy loss to Luton Town, marking Luton’s largest Premier League victory.
Elijah Adebayo stood out with a hat-trick, becoming a Luton legend, while Chiedozie Ogbene also impressed. Despite a disappointing loss ending their unbeaten streak, Brighton remains in the conversation for European competition, sitting eighth in the league.
Manchester United could push Brighton to ninth, depending on their own performance. However, Brighton could extend their unbeaten home record in the Premier League with a draw against Palace.
Crystal Palace turned around a game against Sheffield United with key performances from Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, breaking a winless and goalless streak.
Despite being 14th in the league, Palace’s safety is not guaranteed, and they face challenges winning away from home.
The last six encounters between these teams have been tough, with many ending in draws, including their last meeting in December.
Team News
Brighton faces injuries from their recent loss, with James Milner and Joao Pedro uncertain for the upcoming game. Several players remain sidelined due to injuries, while Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra are participating in international tournaments.
Crystal Palace also has injury concerns, particularly with Eze and Olise, who are crucial for the team’s performance. New signing Daniel Munoz might make his debut, but several players are unavailable due to injuries.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Brighton & Hove Albion: (3-4-1-2)
Verbruggen;
Webster, Dunk, Igor;
Hinshelwood, Baleba, Gross, Estupinan;
Lallana;
Welbeck, Ferguson
Crystal Palace: (4-3-3)
Henderson;
Richards, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell;
Lerma, Hughes, Eze;
Olise, Mateta, Ayew
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Crystal Palace
The outcome may depend on Eze and Olise’s fitness, but even if they play, Palace’s defensive issues persist. Brighton, eager to recover from their recent loss, should capitalize on their home advantage and secure a win in this crucial match.