Crystal Palace host Brighton on Saturday with the two clubs fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Brighton are five points above the bottom three while Crystal Palace are eight points ahead of 18th place Cardiff City. A win for either side would almost ensure Premier League football for next term.
Roy Hodgson’s team go into their game at Selhurst Park on the back of a 3-1 win away to Burnley. The Eagles completely dominated the fixture and got goals from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha. Burnley’s Phil Bardsley added an own goal to help the visitors. The win was Crystal Palace’s third in their last six games. Just one match in that timespan has ended in a loss.
Crystal Palace are peaking at the right time. Although Selhurst Park hasn’t been the fortress it normally is this term, Crystal Palace are undefeated in three of their last six Premier League fixtures on home soil. Crystal Palace will be without defender Mamadou Sakho and Papa Souare due to injuries for the contest.
Brighton’s win over Huddersfield at the weekend ended a seven-match winless run. The Seagulls have struggled since early December. They have collected just nine points from the last 39 possible. Brighton have the third worst points total away from home obtaining a mere eight points from 42 possible. Meanwhile, they have posted a –13-goal difference on their travels.
There is an intense rivalry and hatred between the two clubs. It is akin to a derby with a real fire coming out in the players on matchday. There is a possibility the players could let the atmosphere go their heads on Saturday for the early kickoff.
Crystal Palace have won six of their last 14 meetings with Brighton in all competitions. Brighton have secured victory on just four occasions while four matches have ended in draws. Goals have flown into the back of the net in their last 14 matches. Ten times there have been more than 1.5 goals scored, and in their last three games, there have been more than 2.5 goals tallied. History tells us to be ready for more than 2.5 goals scored at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Brighton did win on home soil earlier this season. Despite playing with 10 men, the Seagulls pulled off a 3-1 win. Crystal Palace may have lost the reverse fixture, but they are in far better form currently. With Zaha and Batshuayi playing well, Crystal Palace will win at home and move further away from danger. Like their last three games against Brighton, this one will see over 2.5 goals scored.