Brighton vs Crystal Palace predictions: Seagulls to bounce back quickly
- Brighton are looking to recover from Tuesday’s 4-0 hammering at Luton
- Palace are sweating on key injuries after beating Sheffield United
- Recommended bet: Brighton Win & Over 1.5 goals
Old rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace clash at the Amex Stadium in a fixture which is traditionally as tight as it is tense.
There is no love lost between supporters of the clubs though bragging rights are hard to claim with six of the last nine meetings between the clubs ending in 1-1 draws.
Team news
James Milner and Joao Pedro are the latest injury worries for Roberto De Zerbi after limping out of Brighton’s 4-0 loss at Luton. Jack Hinshelwood or Tariq Lamptey would replace Milner as right wing-back.
Evan Ferguson is the obvious replacement for 18-goal Joao should the Brazilian not make it.
Albion are still without the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, Solly March, Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra.
Palace are sweating on the health of both Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, their two superstars who exited early from Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United.
The stats
Brighton’s 4-0 loss at Luton was just their third reverse since October. Their last six defeats have been away – they have not lost at the Amex Stadium since a 3-2 defeat to AEK Athens in September.
They have drawn eight of their last 15 Premier League matches including a 1-1 draw against Palace at Selhurst Park on December 21.
Both teams scored in each of their first 16 league games this season; both teams have failed to score in four of their last six.
Palace’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United on Tuesday was just their second in their last 13 matches in all competitions.
The Eagles have not won against any of the league’s top eight sides going into this round of games.
Prediction
Brighton have not lost at home since August and can bounce back from Tuesday’s shock drubbing at Luton to see off labouring Palace at the Amex Stadium.
Matches between these south-east rivals are historically close with six of their last nine meetings ending in draws.
But Brighton’s rock-solid home form has to be a factor, especially as Palace have only beaten one top-half team throughout this underwhelming season.
Roy Hodgson must also be wary that one or both of Olise and Eze may not be fit to appear and that would be a major blow. They boast a 50% win rate when the two start together this season, a 23% win rate when they do not.
Their flashes of inspiration elevate an otherwise unmemorable team who know they will be chasing shadows for long periods.
Palace have taken two points out of a possible 18 on the road since November and were crushed 5-0 at Arsenal on their last road trip.
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