Crystal Palace head to the south coast to take on rivals Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday, and we’ve got the latest team news and predicted lineups, as well as a score prediction alongside our match preview.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace Preview
It’s derby day on the south coast on Sunday afternoon as Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Crystal Palace to the Amex, where the Seagulls will be hoping to avoid extending their three-game winless run with a victory.
Last time out, Fabian Hurzeler’s side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Leicester at the King Power, which followed a poor 1-1 draw with Southampton and a bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat against Fulham.
Despite a disappointing run in the last few weeks, Brighton remain in touch with the top four, currently in seventh place, just three points adrift of the Champions League qualification positions.
Next in the @premierleague.#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 13, 2024
Palace, meanwhile, have battled their way out of the relegation zone after an impressive turn in form, going unbeaten in each of their last four English top-flight matches. This streak includes a 2-2 draw with reigning champions Manchester City last time out, with a win over Ipswich and draws against Newcastle and Aston Villa preceding that one.
They currently occupy 17th place in the Premier League table, four points clear of Ipswich and Wolves in 18th and 19th, and are just one point behind Leicester and Everton in 16th and 15th.
Recent meetings between Palace and Brighton point towards a victory for the hosts, with their most recent clash ending 4-1 in favour of the Seagulls. As well, the south coast club are unbeaten in each of their last six against the Eagles.
Brighton Team News
Brighton remain without central defender Adam Webster (thigh), while Ferdi Kadioglu (ankle), Jack Hinshelwood (knee), James Milner (thigh) and Solly March (fitness) are major doubts for Palace’s visit.
Joel Veltman (knock) is also a doubt, with Hurzeler stating that the Dutchman is ’50-50′ for the fixture.
Crystal Palace Team News
Rob Holding remains frozen out of Oliver Glasner’s squad, so he’ll have no involvement in this one, and neither will Matheus Franca, who is ruled out until the New Year due to a groin issue.
Adam Wharton (groin) and Joel Ward (calf) are also expected to miss out but face late fitness tests ahead of the tie.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace Predicted Lineups
Brighton Predicted Lineup:
Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup:
Henderson; Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Mateta
Brighton vs Crystal Palace Prediction
The UK’s best football betting sites are favouring the hosts to come out on top in the derby on Sunday, but based on recent form, we see this one ending in a stalemate.
Brighton have drawn two of their last three matches, while Palace have drawn three of their last four, and if there weren’t already enough signs pointing to a draw, amazingly, six of their last 10 league meetings have ended in 1-1 draws.
We’re backing a repeat of this scoreline at the weekend.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Crystal Palace
