Crystal Palace vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Sometimes called the M23 or the A23 Derby, Crystal Palace and Brighton square off at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Peacock
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock Premium
Crystal Palace preview: Eagles soaring again
Crystal Palace ended a three-game winless run in the Premier League by seeing off Brentford at Selhurst Park last weekend, with Jean-Philippe Mateta on target in the first half before a Nathan Collins own goal six minutes into the second period handed them a 2-0 win.
The Eagles then recorded their second victory in three UEFA Conference League games on Thursday, with Ismaila Sarr scoring twice in a 3-1 home victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Brighton preview: Steady Seagulls
Brighton claimed their fourth Premier League win of the campaign with a 3-0 success over Leeds last Saturday, with in-form Danny Welbeck opening the scoring before a second-half brace from Diego Gomez sealed the win for the hosts.
The Seagulls have now suffered just one defeat in their last six Premier League games, which came against a reinvigorated Man Utd side in late October.
Crystal Palace team news: Wharton still struggling & minor concern over Sarr
Despite featuring for half an hour on Thursday night, Oliver Glasner has stated that Adam Wharton is still feeling the effects of a recent illness and may not be in a condition to start.
Sarr played an hour against AZ despite complaining of minor hamstring tightness beforehand, while Marc Guehi sustained a small knock that is unlikely to keep him out of action.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Unavailable: Kporha (Injured), Doucoure (Injured), Nketiah (Injured)
Questionable: Riad (Injured), Guehi (Injured), Cardines (Injured), Wharton (Illness), Sarr (Injured)
Brighton team news: Veltman available & Mitoma close
One potential change could see fit-again Joel Veltman replace Mats Wieffer at right-back, while Kaoru Mitoma is on the verge of returning to the squad but remains doubtful.
James Milner and Brajan Gruda will definitely not make it though, with the pair remaining sidelined alongside Adam Webster, Jack Hinshelwood and Solly March.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Gomez; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), Milner (Injured), Hinshelwood (Injured), March (Injured), Gruda (Fitness)
Questionable: Mitoma (Fitness)
Crystal Palace vs Brighton prediction
It is one of the more peculiar derbies in English football given the 40 miles that separates them, but there is nevertheless an intensity in this fixture that makes it a compelling watch.
Crystal Palace were victorious in both meetings last season, and they sit a point ahead of their rivals in the Premier League table ahead of this fixture. However, their Conference League exertions should not be undesrtated as they have lost on both previous occasions this season in the Premier League fixture following a Thursday night league phase game.
With Welbeck in such strong form for the visitors, Brighton can be expected to get on the scoresheet at the very least.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton tip: Both teams to score
