Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury, Preview, And Analysis

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion will defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as the Seagulls’ home advantage and superior attacking quality through Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck should overcome Palace’s struggling form that has seen them winless in over two months.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	Premier League 2025/2026
Matchweek	25
Date	Sunday, February 8, 2026
Kick-off Time	7:30 PM Local Time
Venue	Amex Stadium, Brighton
Current Form	Brighton: DWDDLD / Crystal Palace: DLLDLD
League Position	Brighton: 13th (31 points) / Crystal Palace: 15th (29 points)

Key Facts

• Brighton have drawn 10 matches this season, the highest total in the Premier League, highlighting their struggle to convert competitive performances into victories.
• Crystal Palace have not won a Premier League match in over two months, collecting just two draws and five losses during this period.
• The first meeting between these sides this season ended 0-0 in November 2025.
• Brighton sit 13th with 31 points after 24 matches, while Crystal Palace occupy 15th place with 29 points.
• James Milner could equal the record for most Premier League appearances if he features, having made his debut 24 years ago.
• Crystal Palace suffered a shocking FA Cup exit to Macclesfield, a team 117 places below them in the football pyramid.
• Both teams are separated by just two points in the table.
• Brighton’s last match saw them concede a 97th-minute equalizer to Everton through Beto.
• Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi’s departure has disrupted the team’s defensive stability.
• Adam Wharton returns from suspension for Crystal Palace after serving his ban following a red card against Chelsea.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Preview and Prediction

The M23 derby returns to the Amex Stadium as Brighton host Crystal Palace in a crucial Premier League encounter.

Both clubs find themselves in the lower half of the table, far from their pre-season expectations.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler faces mounting pressure after his side’s inability to turn draws into wins, while Oliver Glasner’s position at Crystal Palace remains under scrutiny following a dismal run of form.

Brighton finished eighth last season and narrowly missed European qualification.

The German manager Hurzeler took charge hoping to improve on that performance, but inconsistency has plagued the Seagulls throughout the campaign.

Their 10 draws represent a significant issue—no other Premier League team has shared the points more frequently.

The late equalizer conceded against Everton exemplified their frustration, as Beto’s 97th-minute strike denied them three crucial points.

Crystal Palace’s situation appears even more concerning. The Eagles have experienced a dramatic decline since their promising end to last season.

Glasner’s team now sits just nine points above the relegation zone, a worrying position for a club that harbored European ambitions.

The loss of captain Marc Guehi has destabilized their defense, while persistent speculation about Glasner’s future has created an atmosphere of uncertainty around Selhurst Park.

The recent FA Cup humiliation against Macclesfield exposed Palace’s fragility.

Despite having an extra man in their last league match against Nottingham Forest, they could only manage a draw, further highlighting their inability to capitalize on favorable situations.

Expected Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Lineups

Brighton & Hove Albion Expected Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Verbruggen

Defenders: Veltman (Right-back), Van Hecke (Center-back), Dunk (Center-back), De Cuyper (Left-back).

Midfielders: Baleba (Defensive midfielder), Gross (Defensive midfielder), Gomez (Right wing), Rutter (Attacking midfielder), Mitoma (Left wing)

Forward: Welbeck (Striker)

Crystal Palace Expected Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Goalkeeper: Henderson

Defenders: Richards (Right center-back), Lacroix (Center-back), Riad (Left center-back)

Midfielders: Munoz (Right wing-back), Hughes (Central midfielder), Wharton (Central midfielder), Mitchell (Left wing-back)

Attacking Midfielders: I. Sarr (Right attacking midfielder), Pino (Left attacking midfielder)

Forward: Johnson (Striker)

Team Injuries and Impact

Brighton Injuries

Confirmed Absences:

• Yasin Ayari – Shoulder injury (ruled out)
• Solly March – Long-term injury
• Adam Webster – Long-term injury
• Stefanos Tzimas – Long-term injury

Available:

Diego Gomez – Returned to fitness

The loss of Ayari represents a fresh concern for Brighton.

The midfielder suffered a shoulder injury in the Everton match and will miss this derby.

His absence weakens Hurzeler’s midfield options, though the return of Diego Gomez provides some compensation.

The long-term injuries to March, Webster, and Tzimas continue to limit squad depth, but Brighton have adapted reasonably well to these absences throughout the season.

Crystal Palace Injuries

Confirmed Absences:

• Eddie Nketiah – Muscle injury (transfer blocked due to injury)
• Daichi Kamada – Muscle injury
• Cheick Doucoure – Knee injury

Available:

Adam Wharton – Returns from suspension

Palace’s injury situation affects their attacking and midfield options significantly.

Nketiah’s absence removes a key forward option, particularly frustrating as his injury prevented a potential transfer move during the January window.

The unavailability of Kamada and Doucoure further limits Glasner’s tactical flexibility in midfield.

However, Wharton’s return from suspension provides a major boost. The young midfielder’s presence adds quality and composure to Palace’s engine room, and his availability could prove decisive in this tight encounter.

Tactical Analysis and Formations

Brighton Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1

Hurzeler typically deploys a possession-based system that emphasizes width and quick transitions.

Verbruggen provides distribution from the back, while Veltman and De Cuyper offer attacking width from full-back positions.

Van Hecke and Dunk form a solid central defensive partnership. The midfield duo of Baleba and Gross provides defensive stability and progressive passing.

Rutter operates as the creative hub behind striker Welbeck, with Mitoma and Gomez providing pace and directness from wide areas.

Crystal Palace Expected Formation: 3-4-2-1

Glasner favors a back three system that transitions into a five-man defense when under pressure.

Richards, Lacroix, and Riad form the defensive trio, with Munoz and Mitchell operating as wing-backs who provide both defensive cover and attacking width.

Hughes and Wharton anchor the midfield, while Sarr and Pino support lone striker Johnson. This formation allows Palace to remain compact defensively while exploiting space on the counter-attack.

Key Players to Watch

Brighton: Kaoru Mitoma

The Japanese winger represents Brighton’s most dangerous attacking threat.

Mitoma’s ability to beat defenders one-on-one and deliver quality crosses creates numerous scoring opportunities.

His pace and technical skill make him particularly effective against Palace’s wing-back system, where he can exploit space behind Munoz.

Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta

Although Johnson may start, Mateta’s physical presence and aerial ability make him a constant threat.

His hold-up play allows Palace to relieve pressure and bring attacking midfielders into play.

Against Brighton’s center-backs, his strength could prove decisive in set-piece situations.

Expert Insight

Wharton’s return fundamentally changes Palace’s midfield dynamics. His ability to progress the ball under pressure and find forward passes could unlock Brighton’s organized defense.

The young midfielder’s composure on the ball allows Palace to maintain possession in dangerous areas, creating opportunities for their attacking players.

Where to Watch Live?

India Broadcast:

• Palace TV+ (audio commentary only, subscription required)
• Star Sports Select HD1
• JioHotstar
• Star Sports Select 1

Global Coverage:

Multiple broadcasters hold rights across different regions, including Sky Sports (UK), DAZN (various territories), and ESPN networks (Americas and Caribbean).

Head-to-Head Analysis

Recent meetings between these sides have produced mixed results:

• November 2025: Crystal Palace 0-0 Brighton
• April 2025: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton
• December 2024: Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace
• February 2024: Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace
• December 2023: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton

The head-to-head record shows competitive matches with no clear dominance.

Palace won the last two completed fixtures at home, while Brighton secured a convincing victory in February 2024.

The most recent encounter produced a goalless draw, suggesting both teams struggled to break down organized defenses.

Current Standings

Premier League Table (Matchweek 24):

Brighton (13th): 24 matches, 7 wins, 10 draws, 7 losses, 34 goals scored, 32 conceded, 31 points

Crystal Palace (15th): 24 matches, 7 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses, 25 goals scored, 29 conceded, 29 points

Both teams sit comfortably above the relegation zone but remain distant from European qualification spots.

Brighton’s superior goal difference reflects their more attacking approach, while Palace’s defensive record shows vulnerability despite their three-man defensive system.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace Prediction

This derby promises tension and competitive intensity.

Brighton’s home advantage and slightly better form suggest they hold the edge, but Palace’s defensive organization makes them difficult to break down.

The return of Wharton strengthens Palace’s midfield, while Brighton’s attacking quality through Mitoma and Welbeck provides goal-scoring potential.

Brighton’s inability to convert draws into wins represents their biggest obstacle. Palace’s poor away form and lack of recent victories suggest they will struggle to take all three points.

The tactical battle between Hurzeler’s possession-based approach and Glasner’s counter-attacking system will determine the outcome.

Expected Result: Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace

Brighton’s home advantage and attacking quality should prove decisive.

Palace will remain competitive and likely score through a set-piece or counter-attack, but the Seagulls’ superior technical ability and home support will secure three crucial points in their pursuit of a top-half finish.

Read all Football Predictions.

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