Crystal Palace host Brighton at Selhurst Park on Monday night to close out round 17 of the Premier League season. The Eagles are three points ahead of Brighton in the table and can push as high as fifth place with a win and results going their way elsewhere.
Brighton could crack the upper half of the table with a win over Crystal Palace. More importantly for Graham Potter’s team would be distancing itself from the relegation zone with a victory.
The Seagulls are just four points above the bottom three and a loss coupled with wins by teams below them would suck the birds down the table. Brighton are unbeaten in their last two matches and will go to Selhurst Park full of confidence.
Crystal Palace are also playing well and unbeaten in their last three matches. Manager Roy Hodgson has led the Eagles to seven points from their last nine available. Selhurst Park hasn’t been a fortress for the Eagles this season. They have collected just 11 points of 24 possible at home.
The Eagles have struggled to get goals in front of their home supporters with just nine going into the back of the net. Hodgson has installed a strong defence and only seven goals have been allowed.
Brighton have taken seven of 24 away points on their travels in 2019-20. They were able to win at the Emirates against Arsenal a week ago, 2-1, in a thrilling contest. That victory ended a four-match away losing streak endured by the Seagulls.
Since Brighton were promoted in 2017, these teams have played five times in all competitions. Brighton are unbeaten in four of those five meetings with three games ending in wins. The Seagulls won both league fixtures last season outscoring Crystal Palace 5-2.
Crystal Palace are a better team this season, however. The Eagles look unlikely to fight relegation and if they can begin scoring more goals, a top six place could be achieved.
The last four matches played between Crystal Palace and Brighton in all competitions ended with both teams scoring. Those games also saw over 2.5 goals scored in each.
The trend of both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being scored between Crystal Palace and Brighton should continue at Selhurst Park. However, this time around, the Eagles should see off Brighton thanks to their superior defensive play.
Crystal Palace are in good form and should continue it on Monday night. Selhurst Park will be rocking as the Eagles pull closer to the top six.