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Premier League – Crystal Palace vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: Thursday night at Selhurst Park will see the most recent edition of the so-called M23 derby between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, with Premier League points up for grabs.
Over the weekend, Roy Hodgson’s team pulled off an incredible comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester City, while the Seagulls were thrashed 2-0 by Arsenal.
The Eagles’ wings were clipped early in the weekend’s matchup with the champs, who would presumably stroll to victory thanks to Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis’s efforts. Crystal Palace may already be accustomed to quieting the Etihad crowd.
The majority of the first 75 minutes saw Palace confined to their own half, but after Pep Guardiola’s team was unable to extend their lead, Hodgson’s team managed to salvage some hope when Jean-Philippe Mateta tapped-in. However, in added time, Phil Foden felled the Frenchman in the area.
Michael Olise, who always maintains his composure, scored a goal from 12 yards out to cause chaos in the Etihad away end. Hodgson’s squad avoided losing three games in a row for the first time this season and became the latest team to undermine Man City’s title chances.
Although Hodgson’s team is 15th in the Premier League table due to the Eagles’ winter struggles, there has been growing discontent around Selhurst Park.
However, Thursday’s hosts are comfortably eight points clear of the drop zone and should have received quite the confidence boost from their incredible comeback against Manchester United.
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.
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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 lacklustre performance away to another capital club, Arsenal, may enter the stadium with a smile on their faces on Thursday.
Brighton, who were undoubtedly suffering from a hangover from their historic Europa League match against Marseille, lost to the league leaders in a match that was well-earned.
The only thing stopping Brighton from winning more decisively was their own wastefulness. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz scored goals in the second half.
Though they moved down to ninth in the standings, comfortably four points ahead of Chelsea in tenth place, De Zerbi was not fooled that his team earned nothing in North London, saying the Gunners made his team “struggle” in a manner they are not used to.
The Seagulls’ setback at the Emirates was only their second in 12 games in all competitions; nevertheless, those two defeats occurred back-to-back in the Premier League away to London clubs Chelsea and Arsenal, the latter of which put an end to Brighton’s incredible 32-game scoring run in the top division.
The Seagulls have yet to record a Premier League away clean sheet this season, but they did halt a seven-game losing streak in the M23 derby in March when they defeated Palace 1-0 at the Amex. Before that, the two legendary rivals had drawn three consecutive 1-1 draws.
Crystal Palace Premier League form:
L L D L L D
Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:
D W L W D L
Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):
W L W D W L
Joel Ward was replaced in the 34th minute due to a hamstring injury, which Hodgson was unable to provide an update on immediately following the game.
Despite being forced into a first-half rearguard change, Palace mounted an incredible comeback against Man City.
In addition to Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle), Sam Johnstone (calf), Odsonne Edouard (knee), and Jefferson Lerma (thigh), the infirmary is overflowing with patients.
However, Jordan Ayew is eligible to return from a one-game suspension, and Eberechi Eze can anticipate being called up quickly 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, impressed Hodgson with their performances against City and might be considered for starting positions.
In an unsettling coincidence, Joel Veltman, a right-back for Brighton, was injured in the first half of the team’s defeat by Arsenal. De Zerbi has acknowledged that he is concerned about the Dutchman’s knee discomfort.
Due to similar issues, the Seagulls manager is already missing Julio Enciso and Solly March. Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, and Ansu Fati are also recovering from thigh issues, and De Zerbi is unsure when Adam Webster (knock) will return to the team.
Academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood should be called up as a backup right-back for this match as Veltman is anticipated to miss it. However, in a rare bit of good news, Danny Welbeck was able to play in the second half against his old team, Arsenal, after suffering a hamstring injury.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Riedewald, Richards; Olise, Eze, Ayew; Mateta
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Igor; Gross, Baleba; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Ferguson
Our predictions for this match 1-1 draw or 2-1 won by Crystal Palace
