Crystal Palace v Brighton betting preview, free tip & analysis

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Crystal Palace v Brighton in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, 7.45pm Monday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 9-4 general
Bet on this tip with bet365

Team news

Crystal Palace
Mamadou Sakho is suspended and Joel Ward (knee), Patrick van Aanholt (hamstring) and Jeffrey Schlupp (muscle strain) are injured.

Brighton
Aaron Connolly (groin) is a doubt and Solly March (groin) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) are out. Dale Stephens serves a one-match ban.

Match preview

Crystal Palace have not won back-to-back home Premier League games since December 2018 and the wait could be extended by Brighton, who can pick up a point at Selhurst Park.

The rivalry between Palace and Brighton is one of the most unusual in English football and is just as intense as some of the clashes between near neighbours.

As with many derby encounters, the desire to win is often outweighed by the fear of losing and there may be value in siding with the draw.

The onus is on Palace to chase the victory and wipe away memories of last season's painful losses to the Seagulls – 3-1 at the Amex and 2-1 at Selhurst.

But Eagles' manager Roy Hodgson has a difficult selection to make with several key players ruled out, many of them defenders.

Centre-backs Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann, right-back Joel Ward and left-back Patrick van Aanholt were ruled out of last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Watford and the situation got even more difficult when back-up left-back Jeffrey Schlupp was injured just before half-time.

Hodgson responded by making sure his back four were compact and well protected, but there was a price to pay as his team registered just three shots, none of them on target.

He would like his team to pose more of a threat but may be wary of opening up against a Brighton side playing in a more expansive style than last season.

Graham Potter's slick Seagulls have scored in eight of their last nine matches and were worthy 2-1 winners at Arsenal in their last away match, but may discover they are given less room to play by Palace, who could gain the upper hand in the midfield exchanges.

Brighton could be lacking their usual midfield industry without Dale Stephens, who serves a one-match ban, and might not enjoy as much possession as they would like.

But, while Palace may see plenty of the ball, they may lack the guile to open up Brighton's defence.

Hodgson's side have failed to score in seven league matches this season – second only to basement boys Watford – and three of those occasions have been at home.

Tight encounters have been a common theme at Selhurst Park with eight league games generating just 13 goals.

And that low-scoring theme looks set to continue, increasing the chances of a draw.