Brighton vs Crystal Palace: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

The hosts should have the favourable advantage for this game, with their league position as they face Crystal Palace struggling for any consistency this season.

Brighton are unbeaten on home soil this season, with Fabian Hurzeler guiding the Seagulls to a potential European place this season. The hosts are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two sides, with Crystal Palace failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous eight against Brighton.

Expect goals in this fixture regardless, as the hosts are without a clean sheet in their previous eight in all competitions, with Palace scoring first in six of their previous eight. Both teams have scored in the last eight involving Brighton, five of the previous seven involving Crystal Palace and in seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams. Over 2.5 goals have also been scored in seven of the previous eight involving the hosts.

We predict a close game between two rivals, but ultimately, Brighton will come out on top with a 2-1 victory.

Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace.

The M23 Derby kicks off a double derby blockbuster on Sunday afternoon as Brighton and Hove Albion host Crystal Palace.

Date: 15/12/2024
Location: The American Express Stadium, Brighton.
Kick-Off: 2 pm

Brighton’s consistent growth in the Premier League has been there for all to see this season, as the Seagulls are once again chasing a European place this season after missing out last year. Many questioned Fabian Hürzeler's appointment as to whether he was ideal for departing Roberto de Zerbi. Still, the results are evidence that the Brighton board once again have found a suitable candidate to manage the club.

The Seagulls are sat in seventh place this season, occupying a potential Europa Conference League spot, with 24 points from 45 available this season. Their early season form has seen the hosts flirt with the top four, and a win over their rivals in the M23 Derby would see Brighton and Hove Albion claim for a top-four season.

Crystal Palace have been struggling this season compared to their end-of-season form last campaign. The Eagles are in 17th place in the Premier League following their 2-2 draw with Manchester City and, more importantly, the win over Ipswich Town, which saw the Eagles gain a four-point gap over the Tractor Boys. A win for Crystal Palace against Brighton would move the visitors up to 15th if results elsewhere fall in their favour.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

The likes of Adam Webster and Ferdi Kadioglu are expected to be unavailable for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Crystal Palace will be without the likes of Chadi Riad and Adam Wharton for this game.

The recent history between the two sides would suggest that Brighton and Hove Albion will be the favourites heading into this game. The Seagulls are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two sides, with Crystal Palace failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous eight against Brighton. Goals are usually a custom in this fixture, with both teams scoring in seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams. The last time Crystal Palace recorded a victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in the league was in the 2020/21 season, where the Eagles were victorious in a 2-1 scoreline - with goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Christian Benteke.

Brighton have been excellent this season under the management of Fabian Hurzeler, and their home form has been of considerable advantage to the Seagulls. At home, Brighton and Hove Albion are unbeaten this season, with three wins and four draws from seven in the Premier League. Brighton have averaged 1.86 points per game at home this season and have won two of their previous five at the American Express Stadium. The hosts have shown great attacking potency on home soil by averaging 1.71 goals per game.

Their recent form could be more desirable, though, as the Seagulls have no wins in their previous three. In their most recent league game, the hosts for this fixture squandered a two-goal lead late on to a Leicester City side down near the bottom end of the Premier League table. Their last home victory was the sensational comeback victory over Manchester City.

Crystal Palace are in better form than their opponents considering the respective league positions of both teams heading into this game. The Eagles are unbeaten in their previous four in all competitions, following their recent upturn in form. This unbeaten run, embarked on by Crystal Palace, has moved them four points clear of their nearest relegation rivals after being lumbered in the bottom three for the majority of the season.

The visitors have also shown great potency in front of goal by scoring first in six of their previous eight, which could bode well for them against Brighton and Hove Albion. The Eagles are coming into this game having held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park despite leading the game twice. Their last away game saw the Eagles record a significant victory over Ipswich Town.

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