Prediction: Brighton win
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Betfair
As millions around the world continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one slice of normality has remained the same – sport. We’re firmly in the February groove and that means we’re going to be experiencing a whole lost of games coming at us thick and fast between now and May, which is especially true in the English Premier League. Today, we’re going to take a look at a fixture between two teams attempting to avoid the relegation battle – Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.
Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion aren’t exactly in the clear when it comes to survival, but they’ve definitely stepped their game up in recent weeks with some really impressive defensive work. Now that Fulham are starting to emerge as a team who want to pull off the great escape, they’ll have to begin implementing some balance into their squad. If they don’t, they could be right back in the mess before they even know what’s hit them.
Team News
Webster is a fitness doubt for the hosts heading into this game but there are also a number of confirmed injury absences for them to be concerned about. This includes Andone, Lamptey, March, Izquierdo and Jahanbakhsh.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have been dropping like a stone lately and could be in serious trouble if they fall to their rivals on Monday Night Football. Their style of play under Roy Hodgson isn’t working anymore, they’re struggling to piece together any kind of fluid football, and their squad just looks uninspired. With all of that being said, though, none of those factors tend to matter when derby day arrives.
Team News
McCarthy’s fitness is a concern for Palace but they also have a string of other problems throughout the rest of the squad that they’ll need to deal with. Mateta is hoping to be brought back into the starting XI for the trip down south, but the following players are all believed to have been ruled out through injury: Sakho, Schlupp, Wickham, Tomkins, McArthur, Hennessey, Ferguson and, crucially, Zaha.
Factors to Consider
- In their last meeting back in October, Crystal Palace and Brighton drew 1-1.
- Brighton have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
- Crystal Palace have won two and lost four of their last six games.
- Brighton have scored three goals and conceded two in their last six games.
- Crystal Palace have scored five goals and conceded 13 in their last six games.
For all of their flair on the ball Brighton have also showcased a real ability to keep teams out defensively in recent weeks, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine they’re going to concede against a Palace side who are really lacking in confidence right now. This is going to be a gritty, tight game of football with far more harsh tackles than attempts on goal, and we believe the Seagulls will come away as the slender 1-0 victors. Prediction: Brighton win Best Odds: 3/4 Bookmaker: Betfair
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