Crystal Palace vs Brighton
Premier League
Thursday
21st December 2023
Selhurst Park
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Premier League fixture between Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton: Preview
Crystal Palace form analysis
Palace came into this run of fixtures hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone after an inconsistent start to their season under Roy Hodgson. On November 25th, they suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat away at Luton in the League Cup despite Olise’s equalizer, going out in the third round. Palace then battled to a creditable 1-1 away draw at West Ham on December 3rd thanks to Edouard’s second half leveler. However, they came up short in a disappointing 0-2 home loss to struggling Bournemouth on December 7th, unable to respond after conceding twice.
Against title-chasing Liverpool at home four days later, Palace took a shock lead from Mateta’s penalty but succumbed late on to a 1-2 defeat courtesy of Salah and Elliott’s strikes. Most recently, Palace produced a spirited fightback from two goals down to claim a 2-2 home draw with champions Man City thanks to Mateta and Olise’s late penalties. Overall Palace have been highly erratic over this period and struggled for wins, a worrying sign they will need to address quickly.
Brighton form analysis
Brighton & Hove Albion have produced several spirited displays during this tricky run of fixtures. On November 25th away at Nottingham Forest in the League Cup, Brighton overturned an early deficit to lead 2-1 through Ferguson and new signing João Pedro before succumbing late on to a 2-3 defeat after leading scorer Dunk saw red. In their next match away at Chelsea on December 3rd, Brighton fought back from two goals down to lose narrowly 2-3 courtesy of Buonanotte and João Pedro’s strikes either side of half time.
Brighton quickly bounced back by beating Brentford 2-1 at home on December 7th thanks to Gross and youngster Hinshelwood overturning Mbeumo’s first half penalty. However, Brighton had to settle for a slightly disappointing 1-1 home draw with relegation battlers Burnley four days later, with Adingra netting their second half leveler after conceding to Wlodimir Odobert. Most recently away at Arsenal, Brighton put up a good fight before succumbing to a narrow 0-2 defeat with no way past the inform keeper. Overall Brighton continue showing signs of their free-flowing attacking potential but defensive issues remain.
