Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

Brighton & Hove Albion’s pursuit of a historic European finish continues midweek as Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace touch down at the AMEX Stadium.

Brighton’s dreams of a first-ever European qualification have taken a series of blows. Indeed, they’ve gone winless in three of their last four Premier League matches (D2, L1), most recently drawing 2-2 at Leeds United over the weekend. The return to the AMEX Stadium, where they’ve registered three victories in their last four league outings (L1), is a good omen, especially against a traditionally formidable opposition Crystal Palace. The ‘Seagulls’ have failed to win any of their last seven top-flight meetings with the London outfit (D5, L2), including a hat-trick of 1-1 H2H draws in the build-up to this fixture. Moreover, they’ve not kept a clean sheet in any of their last ten Premier League H2Hs, though they’ve failed to score only once in that span.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s form wobble continued at the weekend as a 1-0 home defeat to title-bidding Manchester City condemned them to a disastrous ten-game winless Premier League streak (D5, L5). As the only Premier League side yet to win a league match in 2023, the ‘Eagles’ must be grateful for starting this round three points clear of the relegation zone. But to prevent further downfall, Patrick Vieira’s men must defy an abysmal run of two wins in their last 14 Premier League away games (D5, L7), going winless in all four this calendar year (D1, L3). What’s even more concerning for Vieira is that his men have failed to register a shot on target in three straight Premier League fixtures, becoming the first side to reach that unwanted milestone since 2003/04.