Leap year derby on the South Coast

Form could be left at the door of the AMEX Stadium in this Saturday’s Premier League early kickoff, with the rivalry and a lot at stake for both sides on especially poor runs. Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace managed to get it together to beat Newcastle United 1-0 at Selhurst Park last time out, thanks to a superb Patrick van Aanholt free kick. The reverse fixture was an extremely frustrating one for Graham Potter’s men having dominated for long periods and taken the lead through Neal Maupay only to concede an emphatic Wilfried Zaha thunderbolt with the Eagles remaining the Seagulls’ superior in the table ever since.

Palace’s bottom-heavy lineup

Hodgson’s dogged well drilled defensive unit is the joint-sixth best in the league however they have scored the joint-lowest in the division, limiting their success significantly. It was a relieving victory on Saturday, ending an eight-game winless run and their first three points of 2020. The addition of Gary Cahill has been a huge success, the 34-year-old has experienced a new lease of life in South London since his stocks petered out at Chelsea. Combined with some impressive displays from Vicente Guaita between the sticks, Palace have been able to stabilise and hold on to valuable points. Looking at expected goals their defence has not been too special, conceding 41.5 xG compared to 32 real goals against, demonstrates how crucial Guaita’s performances have been.

Reverse fixture

Despite the 1-1 draw, Brighton were excellent on this Monday evening game, imposing themselves on the affair and creating chance after chance. They won the xG battle 0.77-2.32 and enjoyed the majority of possession also registering 10 shots on target to Palace’s four. They completed over double the number of passes of the Eagles and will be hoping to be more clinical in Falmer at the weekend.

Summer signing Neal Maupay got the opener in this one and has had an up and down first season with the Seagulls. The 23-year-old has bagged eight goals so far and reaching double figures would certainly give the Frenchman a psychological boost in his first season acclimatising to Premier League football, having torn up the second tier, bagging 41 goals in 95 appearances for Brentford.

One to watch

According to WhoScored.com Wilfried Zaha has been the most effective player from either side this season. Which says a lot about their respective attacking contingents with the Ivorian having a subpar season by his standards, he has contributed three goals and three assists in the league up to now. The 27-year-old Palace youth product averages 4.7 completed dribbles per and gets fouled on 3.3 occasions per game which is the second most in the league behind Adama Traore and Jack Grealish. Often producing his best form in losing positions this term, however with success against Brighton in the past, the powerful winger, who has been clear in his intentions to leave the club, should have no lack of motivation on Saturday afternoon.

Seagulls will control the bulk of possession once again yet will have to work hard to break Palace down and are susceptible on the counter, the points are up for grabs for both sides.

Brighton & Hove Albion – Crystal Palace Betting Tip

Brighton & Hove Albion Draw No Bet + Under 3.5 goals with 888sport at odds of 39/50.

Bet Brighton & Hove Albion Draw No Bet + Under 3.5 goals on 888sport