Crystal Palace will host Brighton & Hove Albion in the M23 derby on Thursday in the Premier League. Roy Hodgson’s team pulled off a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester City.
Preview (Crystal Palace vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)
The Eagles’ wings were clipped early in the weekend’s matchup with the champs. Most of the first 75 minutes saw Palace confined to their half. Pep Guardiola’s team was unable to extend their lead. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s tap-in gave Hodgson’s team some hope.
Michael Olise, who always maintains his composure, scored a goal from 12 yards out. Hodgson’s squad avoided losing three games in a row for the first time this season. They became the latest team to undermine Man City’s title chances. The Eagles’ winter struggles have left Hodgson’s squad 15th in the Premier League standings. Unhappiness has been mounting around Selhurst Park. However, Thursday’s hosts are comfortably eight points clear of the drop zone and should have felt a lot more confident after their incredible comeback against Manchester.
That four-goal deadlock was only Palace’s second point from their previous six games, though, and the Eagles have also gained the same amount from their last six Premier League home games, dropping their last four games at Selhurst Park. Palace hasn’t lost in five straight Premier League games at Selhurst Park since February 2017. However, supporters of the home team who witnessed Brighton’s lackluster performance away to another capital club, Arsenal, may enter the stadium with a smile on their faces on Thursday.
Brighton, undoubtedly suffering from a hangover from their historic Europa League match against Marseille. The only thing stopping Brighton from winning more decisively was their wastefulness. Second-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sealed the deal. Though they moved down to ninth in the standings, comfortably four points ahead of Chelsea in tenth place.
Team News
Joel Ward was replaced in the 34th minute due to a hamstring injury. Hodgson was unable to provide an update on immediately following the game. In addition to Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle), Sam Johnstone (calf), Odsonne Edouard (knee), and Jefferson Lerma (thigh), the overflowing infirmary now has Ward. However, Jordan Ayew is eligible to return from a one-game suspension, and Edgar Eze can anticipate being quickly called up to the starting lineup following a substitute appearance over the weekend.
In the closing third, Ayew will probably replace Jeffrey Schlupp, but Matheus Franca, 19, and David Ozoh, 18, who took Ward’s place at the Etihad, both received high marks from Hodgson for their performances against City and might be considered for starting positions. De Zerbi has acknowledged that he is concerned about the Dutchman’s knee discomfort.
Due to similar concerns, the Seagulls manager already lacks Julio Enciso and Solly March. Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, and Ansu Fati are all recovering from thigh issues, and De Zerbi is unsure of when Adam Webster (knock) will return to the team. However, in a rare bit of good news, Danny Welbeck returned from a hamstring injury in time to play in the second half against his former team, Arsenal.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
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