Brighton vs Crystal Palace: Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion is set to host Crystal Palace this Sunday afternoon for the second M23 derby of the season. With only two points separating the two teams in the Premier League, both clubs aim to secure crucial victories to bolster their European aspirations. Currently, Brighton sits in 13th place with 31 points, while Crystal Palace is in 15th, just nine points above the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Brighton, aiming to improve upon their previous season’s eighth-place finish, has experienced inconsistent performance throughout the current campaign. After 24 matches, the team has recorded seven wins, ten draws, and seven losses. January proved particularly challenging, with only one league victory and a total of four draws, marking the highest in the league. Their most recent match saw Brighton concede a last-minute equalizer against Everton.
Such results have left Brighton desperate for a win to maintain their hopes of European qualification. If they secure the victory against Crystal Palace, they could rise as high as ninth in the table.
Crystal Palace’s Form
In contrast, Crystal Palace’s recent form has raised concerns among fans and management alike. Head coach Oliver Glasner’s side has not tasted victory in the Premier League for over two months, suffering five losses and managing two draws in that span. Additionally, their FA Cup campaign ended abruptly against Macclesfield Town, a team positioned much lower in the league structure.
The team’s captain, Marc Guehi, is absent due to injury, and the speculation surrounding Glasner’s future may be affecting on-field performance. Recently, Palace managed to salvage a draw against Nottingham Forest, yet they find themselves languishing close to the drop zone.
Team News
Brighton faces several injury challenges ahead of this match. Midfielder Yasin Ayari is ruled out due to a shoulder injury, joining long-term absentees Solly March and Adam Webster. Diego Gomez is back from injury, while Ferdi Kadioglu and Joel Veltman are expected to compete for the right-back position, with Veltman likely to start. Notably, if James Milner plays, he will equal the record for the most Premier League appearances.
For Crystal Palace, there are no new injury concerns from their last match. Nevertheless, Glasner might make tactical changes given the poor form of his squad. Eddie Nketiah continues to miss out due to an injury, while Daichi Kamada and Cheick Doucoure are also sidelined. Adam Wharton returns after serving a suspension and will likely reclaim his spot in the starting eleven.
Expected Lineups
| Brighton & Hove Albion | Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Gomez, Baleba, Gross; Rutter, Welbeck, Mitoma |
|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; I. Sarr, Pino, Johnson |
Predictions
As both teams aim to reignite their campaigns, this M23 derby promises to be fiercely contested. Given their current form and home advantage, Brighton is favored to secure a narrow victory, potentially finishing the match at 2-1 against Crystal Palace. The stakes are high as each team fights to revive their Premier League aspirations.
