Crystal Palace vs Brighton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-12-20 20:00.
[p]Crystal Palace will host great rivals Brighton whilst looking to avoid completing seven consecutive Premier League (PL) games without a victory (D2, L4) for the first time since the run of 12 winless games that cost former boss Patrick Vieira his job back in March. They did at least finish their most recent contest in a buoyant mood after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against champions Manchester City at the Etihad. [/p]
[p]Late strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise in that one helped the goal-shy Eagles net multiple goals in a PL game for just the fourth time this season. That underlines the struggles they’ve had in attack this season, especially at Selhurst Park where Roy Hodgson’s men have scored a league-low seven PL goals all season – something that has undoubtedly contributed to their six match winless home run (D2, L4). [/p]
[p]Brighton’s form across the past five rounds can best be described as indifferent (W2, D1, L2), and they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Arsenal this past weekend. But they have lost just one game against teams starting this round below them in the table (W5, D4) – like Palace – so manager Roberto De Zerbi might hope this is the ideal fixture to bounce straight back. [/p]
[p]It’s certainly one that means a lot to supporters of the two clubs, and it’s the fans of Brighton who secured bragging rights most recently with the 1-0 victory in the last H2H back in March. That was the fourth straight meeting between the two to produce under 2.5 match goals (D3), so don’t be shocked to see another cagey affair here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Having previously failed to score all season, Mateta has since netted in each of Palace’s last two fixtures, whilst opposition striker João Pedro has scored a combined four goals across his last four competitive away games for Brighton. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only three of the last 11 H2H goals scored at this venue came before half-time. [/p]