Crystal Palace make the short trip to the Amex Stadium on Sunday for the latest chapter of the M23 derby, with both sides badly in need of a lift.
The Eagles arrive on the south coast in poor form, with their impressive start to the campaign now a distant memory. Results have tailed off sharply and Palace are beginning to glance nervously towards the relegation places.
Brighton have not exactly been flying either, sitting just two points above their rivals, which adds extra edge to the contest. Palace will at least be encouraged by the arrivals of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Evann Guessand, although Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to miss the clash through injury.
With the derby approaching, several pundits have given their verdicts, including SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson, BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and Metro’s Alan Shearer.
Paul Merson
Merson believes Brighton’s season has been wildly inconsistent and difficult to predict.
“Brighton are all over the place,” he said. “They beat Burnley at home, draw with Manchester City away, knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford, then draw with Bournemouth, lose to Fulham and draw with Everton. That pretty much sums them up.
“You never really know what version of Brighton will turn up. Palace, on the other hand, are in a really bad spell right now. For that reason, I’d side with Brighton.”
Prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion 2–1 Crystal Palace.
Chris Sutton
Sutton feels the Seagulls have the edge this time around, despite usually leaning towards a stalemate in this fixture.
“Palace have added Jorgen Strand Larsen and managed to keep Mateta, so Oliver Glasner does have some choices in attack,” Sutton said. “I usually go for a draw in this derby and it finished goalless at Selhurst Park in November, but I think Brighton will take it this time.
“They were disappointed not to beat Everton, but I expect them to shut Palace out here.”
Prediction: Brighton 2–0 Crystal Palace.
Alan Shearer
Shearer also expects the hosts to come out on top, pointing to Palace’s ongoing struggles.
“There’s always a bit of needle in this game,” he said. “Palace are still in a worrying position and they just can’t find any momentum. I’m going with a Brighton win.
“Strand Larsen at his best can make a big difference for Palace, but I’m not convinced we’re seeing that player this season. It’s a huge fee for someone with just one league goal. He needs to rediscover last year’s form quickly.”
Prediction: Brighton victory.