Brighton vs Crystal Palace Predictions

• Brighton are on a three-match winless run, being held to draws by Southampton and Leicester in that sequence
• Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last eight matches
• Four of the last six meetings have finished level

Derby draw is on the cards

It may be considered a cliche, but some games really do have draw written all over them, with Brighton vs Crystal Palace firmly falling into that category. 

Clashes between rivals often turn into cagey encounters as both teams bid for bragging rights, with this derby no exception to the rule. 

Four of the last six M23 derbies have finished level – each of those ending 1-1 – and there is reason to believe Sunday’s renewal will see that trend continue.

The pair look well-matched now too. Brighton have the stronger team on paper and the bonus of home advantage, but they have hit a sticky spell at an inconvenient time, with the mood high in the Palace camp following last weekend’s draw at the Etihad.

Expect a south-coast stalemate

Had this match been played three weeks ago, nobody would doubt Brighton’s credentials as favourites as Fabian Hurzeler’s men were coming off back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Bournemouth following a valiant 2-1 defeat at Anfield at a time when the Eagles were firmly in a relegation scrap. 

However, the Seagulls have since been held to stalemates by basement boys Southampton and struggling Leicester – throwing away a two-goal lead in the final ten minutes against the Foxes to draw 2-2 – as well as been beaten 3-1 by Fulham. 

While Brighton have dropped off somewhat, Palace have found their feet again, beating Ipswich and drawing with Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City in their last four games, suggesting they can trouble their rivals at the AmEx. 

Four of the Seagulls’ seven Premier League home games have finished level while the Eagles have drawn four of their last six outings, making the stalemate a big runner in the M23 derby again.

Mateta may bag against Brighton again

With Adam Wharton potentially set for a return on Sunday, Oliver Glasner is close to having a full-strength squad at his disposal as the recent return of Eberechi Eze has been an extremely welcome one.

The Eagles tend to create many more chances with Wharton and Eze in the side and Jean-Philippe Mateta could be a big beneficiary of their playmaking talents on the south coast.

The French forward netted the only goal of the game in Palace’s last away outing at Ipswich while he also has a solid record against Brighton, scoring his first ever Eagles goal at the AmEx and also netting in this fixture last term.

A record of two goals in four M23 away derbies is a solid return from Mateta and he is the standout scorer pick for Sunday’s clash as a result.