Kick-off: 1500, 11/02/2023
Stadium: Selhurst Park
Brighton are 10 points clear of rivals Crystal Palace and head to Selhurst Park as favourites to stretch that lead given their impressive form.
Palace are no pushovers though, especially on home soil where they have drawn with Manchester United and Newcastle in their last two outings.
There is no love lost between the two teams and each may be satisfied with a point so a draw at 12/5 is our opening Crystal Palace vs Brighton prediction.
Crystal Palace Odds
Palace have gone five league games without a win but have had a tough run of fixtures since the turn of the year.
Having drawn with Manchester United at Selhurst Park last month, they threatened to do the same at Old Trafford on Saturday when Jeffrey Schlupp’s goal gave them hope but they could not manage an equaliser in a 2-1 defeat.
Boss Patrick Vieira said: “I think we showed character. Disappointed with the start, our first half.
“I think we defended well. We were quite well organised but when we managed to win the ball we couldn’t combine together.
“We lost the ball a little bit too quickly in the first half, and it was much better in the second half.”
Scoring goals is proving an issue for the Eagles and Schlupp’s strike was only their second in the last five games, while they have blanked in five of the last eight.
The absence of Wilfried Zaha is not helping so a goalless first half at 33/20 looks a solid pick in the Crystal Palace vs Brighton odds.
Last Palace line-up: Guaita, Mitchell, Guehi, Clyne, Richards, Olise, Ayew, Schlupp, Hughes, Doucoure, Edouard.
Palace midfielder James McArthur is set to make his first appearance in the matchday squad since recovering from a long-term injury that has kept him out of action so far this season.
Full-back Nathan Ferguson is making good progress and has been training with the team, but it is unlikely forward Wilfried Zaha (hamstring) will be ready.
Brighton Odds
Brighton are daring to dream about the possibility of playing in Europe next season after climbing to sixth in the table.
Kaoru Mitoma’s 87th-minute header made the difference in Saturday’s dramatic 1-0 win over Bournemouth, and also ensured Albion have now picked up 13 points from their last six Premier League contests.
Victory left the Seagulls eyeing a top-six finish, while they are also still in contention for the FA Cup after beating holders Liverpool in round four.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is staying focused though, saying: “I’m used to thinking about the next game. I am not able to think about the past. My vision is only of Crystal Palace.
“If you ask me if I am happy? Yes. I’m happy for the results, the performances, the relationship with my players, my club, my fans, but about the results, I’m happy but we have to finish the season.”
This is usually a hard-fought contest and four of the last six meetings ended 1-1, including both games last season and the previous three at Selhurst Park.
That makes another 1-1 draw at 7/1 an easy selection to complete our Crystal Palace vs Brighton betting tips.
Last Brighton line-up: Sanchez, Dunk, Estupinan, Veltman, Lamptey, Gross, Mitoma, Gilmour, March, Welbeck, Undav.
Brighton welcome back World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from suspension and forward Evan Ferguson is available following injury, but midfielder Adam Lallana and defender Levi Colwill remain on the sidelines.
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