The latest instalment of the M23 derby takes place at Selhurst Park on Saturday as Crystal Palace play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
While the Eagles are still searching for their first win in 2023, the Seagulls are seeking to extend their unbeaten start to the New Year to seven matches.
Seventeen days after rescuing a 1-1 draw at home against Manchester United, courtesy of a stunning stoppage-time free kick from Michael Olise, Crystal Palace came away empty handed from their trip to Old Trafford as they lost 2-1 last weekend.
After Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils two goals in front, the Eagles were handed a lifeline on the 70-minute mark when Casemiro was sent off for an apparent strangle round the neck of Will Hughes following a mass melee, and just six minutes later, Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back with an unorthodox flick past David de Gea.
However, Patrick Vieira’s men were unable to find an equaliser and were condemned to their ninth league defeat of the season, leaving them 12th in the Premier League table and six points above the drop zone.
Palace head into Saturday’s contest having failed to win any of their last six matches, and the prospect of Vieira’s side turning their fortunes around quickly may be slim, as league fixtures against Brighton, Brentford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal are up next.
However, the Eagles are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Brighton, with their last three home encounters all ending as 1-1 draws; they also drew by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium in their last meeting in January 2022.
While the Eagles are struggling to spread their wings, Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls are flying high in the Premier League after winning six of their last nine top-flight matches, and they are now placed sixth in the table, five points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth with two games in hand.
Brighton’s impressive form since the turn of the year has largely been thanks to the emergence of Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, who has scored five goals in his last seven games across all competitions, including the only goal in a slender 1-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend.
The 25-year-old directed a header beyond Cherries goalkeeper Neto to snatch all three points for Brighton in the 87th minute, extending their winning home run to three matches.
De Zerbi’s side have now scored 38 Premier League goals so far this season, with only Man City (53), Arsenal (45) and Spurs (41) having scored more, while no other top-flight team have scored more than the Seagulls (24) across the last 10 matches.
Twelve of those goals have been netted in their last four away games, and Brighton will fancy their chances of breaching a Palace defence which has only kept five clean sheets all season.
With potentially challenging fixtures against Fulham, Newcastle and Man United on the horizon, Brighton will be keen to claim maximum points on Saturday in their quest to secure European football for next season.
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha missed last weekend’s defeat against former club Man United due to a hamstring injury and he is not expected to return until the end of this month.
However, Vieira has confirmed that James McArthur will be included in the matchday squad after recovering from a groin problem, and Nathan Ferguson has returned to training following a lengthy spell out with a foot injury, although Saturday’s game will likely come too soon for the defender.
Joachim Andersen and Joel Ward, who missed the defeat at Man United, are both doubtful with respective calf and muscle issues and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Vieira may consider making changes to his midfield, with January signings Albert Sambi Lokonga and Naouirou Ahamada both hoping to start their first game for the club, while Eberechi Eze is also pushing for a recall after beginning on the bench last time out.
As for Brighton, Levi Colwill, Adam Lallana (both muscle) and Jakub Moder (knee) are all ruled out through injury, but Evan Ferguson “could play” after missing last weekend’s win over Bournemouth with a knee problem.
Alexis Mac Allister is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, and the World Cup winner is expected to return to centre-midfield, potentially partnering Moises Caicedo who returned to the first-team fold against Bournemouth following his drawn-out January transfer saga.
De Zerbi has confirmed that Joel Veltman “will play” in defence, while Danny Welbeck is set to be supported in attack by wingers Mitoma and Solly March.
