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    Premier League tip preview: Palace unlikely to burst Brighton's bubble

    Paul BathurstPaul Bathurst10 February 2023
    Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi

    Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi

    Brighton's Premier League success has surprised many this year, and Tipstrr football pundit Paul Bathurst thinks that struggling Crystal Palace are unlikely to keep the Seagulls quiet on Saturday.

    When Graham Potter departed Brighton for pastures new at free-spending Chelsea, many people predicted a drop in performance and league position from the Seagulls.

    The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has proved yet again to be a shrewd decision by one of the best run clubs in the country, as his arrival has seen the south-coast club transition seamlessly to his approach with no adverse effect on their performance.

    Brighton currently sit sixth in the league, well placed in the race for Europe and their metrics suggest it is completely deserved, as they are also sixth best in creating chances and occupy the same position in restricting opponents' chances.
    Crystal Palace started the season well, accumulating 22 points by Christmas, but since the turn of the year the Eagles are yet to win a game, picking up just two points from a possible 15.

    One of those points came from a 0-0 draw in their last home game against Newcastle, when, despite conceding 2.20xG compared to creating just 0.75xG, Patrick Vieira's side managed to defend for their lives and gain a point.

    It did come at a major cost, however, with the talismanic Wilfried Zaha limping off with a hamstring injury that still leaves the Ivorian on the sidelines.

    Palace needed a goal-of-the-month contender from Michael Olise to snatch a last-gasp draw with Manchester United, Indeed, goals have remained at a premium for the Croydon-based side, with only four teams creating fewer chances overall this season.

    Starting defenders Joachim Andersen and Joel Ward are both also serious doubts for Palace.

    Brighton can still not count on Levi Colwill or Adam Lallana, although there is more positive news regarding Evan Ferguson, whose injury inflicted two weeks ago by a horror challenge from Liverpool's Fabinho does not seem as serious as first feared. 

    Meanwhile, they can welcome back World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister, who is available after his one-match suspension for collecting five yellow cards.

    Seagulls fans may have been concerned when star forward Leandro Trossard left for league leaders Arsenal, but Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma has stepped up, scoring five times in Brighton's last seven matches, including the late winner at Bournemouth last week.

    Mitoma to get on the scoresheet looks a decently priced betting option (and could be combined with an away win for a more lucrative bet at PlanetSportBet, if desired).

    Brighton have not won this fixture since 2019, but they have never been stronger and with the struggles of Crystal Palace, Roberto De Zerbi will be confident of masterminding another victory.
    Patrick Vieira will hope for more productivity from his attacking players, but without the influential Zaha at his disposal, his side are likely to come up dry again.

    Taking recent performances into account, it is clear to see the trajectory of both sides. When the missing players are considered on top of this, combined with the obvious confidence levels of both clubs, odds of even money for Brighton to win this derby at Selhurst Park look appealing.

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