Roberto De Zerbi will demand a significant response from his players after their terrible display in midweek as Brighton & Hove Albion take on a resurgent Crystal Palace.
The betting markets would have gone off the charts following the result in midweek against Luton Town. The Hatters took a solid 2-0 lead in the opening period and then went on to score two more as the game slipped out of the Seagulls’ hands. Up next for Brighton & Hove Albion are Crystal Palace.
Now, Roberto De Zerbi will demand a massive response from his side, with the result against Luton Town pegging them back in their objectives for the season. Their loss and subsequent wins for Newcastle United and Manchester United have seen the Seagulls drop down to the ninth spot on the table.
De Zerbi knows another set of bad results would make it difficult for them to keep up in the race for a European place in jeopardy. But Brighton have a big game in the M24 Derby with Crystal Palace to prove the doubters wrong. The hosts will be desperate for a win in this one and get their European hunt back on track.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace responded well after their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates. Roy Hodgson’s side came in for plenty of criticism from pundits and fans alike, with the latter also hoisting a big banner condemning the club’s current direction.
Palace did respond well against Sheffield United in a game that saw too many ups and downs. However, their eventful 3-2 win over the Blades proved that the Eagles are indeed more potent when they have some of their best players fit and available.
Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze proved their worth as the duo were heavily involved during the game. The latter scored twice, while the former assisted twice and scored the winner to seal the three points. Hodgson will rely on the duo again when they travel to Brighton for this vital clash.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi’s injury list has depleted in recent weeks, but he still has several of his key players out, with Solly March, Julio Enciso, Joel Veltman and James Milner all out of action. Key winger Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra remain out with international commitments in the AFC Asian Cup and AFCON, respectively.
Ansu Fati is not totally out of the contest, but there are doubts whether the Spaniard will be involved so soon, especially in this game. Jack Hinshelwood could be back in the starting lineup. With the right-back in the setting, De Zerbi could opt for a back three with Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Igor Julio.
With Mahmoud Dahoud leaving Brighton on loan to join Stuttgart, De Zerbi will have fewer options in midfield against Crystal Palace, although the former Borussia Dortmund man had fallen well behind in the pecking order. The manager could start with Billy Gilmour and Pascal Gross in the central areas for this clash.
In the attack, De Zerbi might opt to play all of his strikers in the absence of critical wingers like Adingra and Mitoma. Joao Pedro should slot in that attacking midfield position behind the front line, with Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson expected to form a two-prone setup up front.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Verbruggen; Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Hinshelwood, Gross, Gilmour, Estupinan; Pedro; Ferguson, Welbeck
Crystal Palace
Despite their victory over Sheffield United in midweek, where Roy Hodgson appeared to have a good set of options, Crystal Palace are still missing some key players against Brighton & Hove Albion. Moreover, Eberechi Eze is also doubtful and will go through an assessment before the manager makes his decision on selecting him against Brighton.
Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, and Joel Ward are certainly missing this crucial clash, with the Malian probably out for the remainder of the campaign. Hodgson could potentially name an unchanged side from their victory over the Blades, although there are chances of a potential addition to that side.
Hodgson could hand new signing Daniel Munoz his full debut at the cost of benching Chris Richards, who did well at right-back in the previous game. That might be the only change, barring the late assessment of Eze goes against them. In any case, the midfielder will be expected to start against Brighton as Hodgson eyes consecutive wins in the Premier League.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Henderson; Munoz, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Hughes, Lerma; Olise, Mateta, Ayew
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion have seen under 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Brighton have failed to score in their last three matches in the Premier League.
- Brighton have now won just three of their last 16 league matches but remain in eighth place.
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of Crystal Palace’s last seven games in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace have conceded seven goals in their last two games in the Premier League.
Player To Watch
Evan Ferguson
Ferguson will have come under pressure following some of his recent performances, which could see his value as a top draw centre-forward come into question. Not only has he continued on a goal drought of sorts. But Brighton, who are otherwise known for their goalscoring prowess, have drawn blanks in their last three games.
The young Irish attacker has a lot to prove before being considered a top-draw striker in the Premier League. He will have plenty of pressure on his shoulders, but the Crystal Palace game should be a big occasion for the Brighton prospect to prove his doubters wrong.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Crystal Palace
Both teams come into this clash in contrasting forms but with mixed results over the last few games. Brighton have not scored in their last three, which could add to the pressure on De Zerbi to get a win in this derby, although Crystal Palace will want to bring their momentum from the Sheffield United win.
These are two sides in mixed form entering a game that appears poised for a draw. Both teams might get cagey on occasions, but both have game-changers in their respective squad to get three points out of this one, although many factors call for this clash to end in an eventful draw.
