Crystal Palace vs Brighton Prediction: Can the Eagles pull off another surprise?

After fighting from two goals down to earn a draw at Manchester City in the Premier League over the weekend, Crystal Palace’s attention turns to their M23 derby against Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park on Thursday night (20:000, with precious bragging rights at stake.

There are nine points and six league places between the two clubs heading into the game, but as they say, all that goes out the window on derby day and it boils down to simply who is better on the night.

Will the Eagles be able to prey on the Seagulls?

Match Odds 

Victories at Selhurst Park have been very hard to come by for Palace this term. They have just won once at home in the Premier League and they are valued at 9/4 to pick up their second. Three of the last four meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw, which is on offer at 12/5 ahead of this latest meeting. Brighton won the bragging rights last time they faced one another and they are 6/5 to win this one.

Both teams to score has landed in five of their last six encounters and you will find this market priced at 4/6. Over 2.5 goals is available at 5/6.

Team News

Eagles boss Roy Hodgson was tight-lipped about the injury Joel Ward sustained that saw him leave the fray in the first-half, so the defender is considered a doubt for Thursday. He would join Cheick Doucoure (achilles), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Sam Johnstone (calf), Rob Holding (ankle), Jefferson Lerma (thigh) and Odsonne Edouard (knee) in the treatment room.

Joel Veltman was substituted due to injury in Brighton’s defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, so he is likely to miss the trip to south London. The Seagulls are still missing Julio Enciso and Solly March, who are both out with knee problems. Pervis Estupinan, Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey are all recuperating from thigh issues, while Adam Webster is struggling to shake off a knock.

Draw and both teams to score @ 16/5

Palace’s form this season may be disappointing, particularly at home, but their fightback at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday will provide a much-needed morale boost ahead of the derby, and they will be feeling confident in taking on Brighton.

The Seagulls will be a bit deflated after they were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in their last outing, but the derby comes at the right time to get back to winning ways. However, it feels as though this could end in a stalemate, especially when you consider that six of the 12 meetings between these two sides in the Premier League have ended in a draw – including three of the last four.

In scoring twice against the reigning champions, Palace’s attackers will be raring to go against the Seagulls, while the visitors have plenty of quality to boast themselves. We could be set to witness an exciting end-to-end contest and we are fancying this one to deliver goals at both ends. However, we cannot see the two sides being separated.

Half-time result: Brighton @ 7/4

Morale might be high in the Eagles’ dressing room right now but Brighton’s quality outweighs theirs presently, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side will look to spring out of the traps at Selhurst Park, which might catch Hodgson’s men off guard.

The Eagles have gone into the break behind on five occasions in the Premier League so far this term. It happened against City over the weekend and there is a good chance it can happen again against their bitter rivals.

However, unlike previous matches where this has happened, you wouldn’t immediately write them off. After what they accomplished in Manchester, you have to give them their credit. They may go behind in this game but they have the character to pull themselves back into the contest. At 7/4, Brighton offer excellent value to go into half-time ahead.