The latest fixture in the rivalry is upon us and it is one that could prove to be more important than the feelings of both sides of this long standing match up in view of recent results and current league standings.
DATE
22nd February 2021
KICK OFF
8pm
VENUE
American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL
LAST TIME
It was almost a year ago to the day that the two sides last met on the South Coast, and while it was certainly not a match for the purists, it was one where Jordan Ayew popped up to seal a valuable three points for Eagles.
WHO SCORED MAN OF THE MATCH – Vicente Guaita (8.7)
OFFICIALS
Referee – Kevin Friend
Assistants – Simon Beck, Eddie Smart, Keith Stroud (fourth official)
VAR – Simon Hooper, Darren Cann (assistant)
INJURY CONCERNS
PALACE – James McArthur, James McCarthy, Connor Wickham, Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp, Mamadou Sakho, Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson, James Tomkins
BRIGHTON – Florin Andone, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Solomon March,
SUSPENSIONS
None
DISCIPLINARY
RED CARDS – Luka Milivojevic (1), Christian Benteke (1), Yves Bissouma (1), Lewis Dunk (1), Tariq Lamptey (1)
YELLOW CARDS (4+) – Yves Bissouma (6), Luka Milivojevic (6), Lewis Dunk (4), Wilfried Zaha (4), Dan Burn (4)
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 18/10/2020 Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 29/02/2020 Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Crystal Palace
- 16/12/2019 Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 09/03/2019 Crystal Palace 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 04/12/2018 Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 13/02/2021 Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley
- 08/02/2021 Leeds United 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 02/02/2021 Newcastle United 1-2 Crystal Palace
- 30/01/2021 Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 26/01/2021 Crystal Palace 2-3 West Ham United
Last FIVE results for Brighton;
- 13/02/2021 Brighton & Hove Albion 0-0 Aston Villa
- 10/02/2021 Leicester City 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 06/02/2021 Burnley 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 03/02/2021 Liverpool 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 31/01/2021 Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
RECORD AGAINST BRIGHTON
- Played 104
- Won 37
- Drawn 27
- Lost 40
FORM PLAYERS ACCORDING TO WHO SCORED
- Solly March 7.07
- Wilfried Zaha 6.96
- Yves Bissouma 6.90
- Joel Veltman 6.84
ONE TO WATCH
JOEL IVO VELTMAN
FORMER CLUBS – VV Ijmuiden, Ajax
The 29 year old defender joined Brighton in July 2020 ending a career at Ajax which started in 2001 where he made almost 200 appearances. Capped by the Netherlands 27 times since making an international debut in 2013, the six foot defender has slotted in well following the injury to Tariq Lamptey. In truth, the Dutchman has far more experience than the former Chelsea youth player and has taken his chance by proving his worth to the first eleven.
KEY CLASH
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE v LEWIS DUNK
Whatever you might say about the Belgian striker, he knows and understands the rivalry and must start alongside Jordan Ayew, the match winner at the Amex last season. Benteke must provide that physical aerial battle against the host captain if Palace are to take anything from the latest episode of this fixture.
PRE-MATCH FACTS
- Brighton have drawn the most league games this season (11)
- Palace are unbeaten in 3 games against Brighton
- Brighton have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 league matches
- Palace are on a two game losing streak in the league
- Brighton have failed to win 15 of their last 16 home league matches
- Brighton are unbeaten in 6 league games
PRE-MATCH STATS
- GOALS – Wilfried Zaha (9 – 11th in PL)
- ASSISTS – Andros Townsend, Eberechi Eze (3)
- PASSES – Luka Milivojevic (832)
- TACKLES – James McArthur (57 – 7th in PL)
- TOUCHES – Eberechi Eze (1086)
- SHOTS – Wilfried Zaha (44)
PREDICTION
Two disappointing defeats for the Eagles leaves then in a bit of a position, but these are the times when Roy Hodgson and his side pull one out of the bag to put the criticism to one side. There will be no better time to do that that against or arch rivals who find themselves in decent form, other than at home which is the Achilles heel that Palace will take some hope from. There is an air of confidence on the South Coast going into this game which is often a dangerous trait ahead of such a fixture.
FINAL SCORE: Palace win 2-1
BETTING ODDS
- Home – 8/11
- Draw – 12/5
- Away – 4/1
- Both teams to score – 11/10
RESOURCES
