Brighton & Hove Albion was on the verge of denying Manchester United the first home maximum points this season had Lewis Dunk not deflected Ashley Young's shot to his net. After the game on Saturday, Manchester United manager praised the Seagulls and described them as the first real test that the Red Devils have faced this season in front of the home fans.
Three days after the excruciating journey to Manchester, Albion returns to their backyard with the team hosting Crystal Palace at The American Express Community Stadium on Tuesday for the fourteenth round of Premier League actions.
The Seagulls are currently placed in the ninth position in the league standings but cannot rise beyond the spot they're now occupying even with a win over the Eagles. However, a defeat could cause the league newcomers to fall to position fourteen in the Premier League log.
Crystal Palace got their second league success on Saturday after coming from behind to beat Stoke City 2-1 at Selhurst Park in a game that Mamadou Sakho's stoppage minute goal decided the destination of the maximum points. The Eagles are at the rock bottom of the Premier League, but they have a glorious opportunity to climb up to the eighteenth spot with a victory over the Seagulls.
Match facts
- Brighton & Hove Albion have drawn in all the last three Premier League matches they've played in their backyard. The last home win that Chris Haughton men recorded was in late September against fellow league newcomers, Newcastle United in a game that ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
- Crystal Palace is still looking for the first win in the last eight trips they've made in Premier. The worst part is that the Eagles have failed to score even a goal in the period that they've suffered eight away losses in a row in the league.
- Crystal Palace has scored two goals in three of the last four Premier League matches. The only time in that period that the Eagles failed to score two goals in that span was in their 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspurs.
- The Seagulls have lost just a single home match in the six league games they've played since gaining their promotion into the top-flight league four months. The only home loss came on the opening day when the current league leaders, Manchester City prevailed with a 2-0 victory.
Team news
Chris Haughton will once again miss the most experienced player in his selection as his team takes on Crystal Palace.
Steve Sidwell who has been a player in both Arsenal and Chelsea will stay out of the game with due to an injury. The manager may not make wholesome changes given that his side impressed in the 1-0 win at Old Trafford but he can be tempted to include Jose Izquierdo who's fresh after being benched in Manchester. Tomer Hemed will be challenging Glen Murray and Pascal Gross for a starting slot in the attack.
The visitors will be missing Chung-Yong Lee, Connor Wickham, James McArthur, and Gordon Mutch through injuries while Patrick van Aanholt remains doubtful for the contest due to his low fitness. Roy Hodgson is set to keep Wayne Hennessey in between the sticks and may also give grant Christian Benteke a nod to start since returning from an injury.
Predictions
In the last six meetings between the two sides, Crystal Palace won a half of the contest with the Seagulls only managing a single win in those encounters. Brighton & Hove Albion have been good in front of the home fans since the season began just losing to league leaders, Manchester City. Confidence may be high on the home team after the impressive display at Manchester United which almost earned them a point.
Crystal Palace has been pathetic on the road this term failing to score even an away goal in the league, but there's always the first time for everything. The return of Christian Beneteke to action will do doubt reinforce the attack option in Roy Hodgson squad. The visitors could bag in their first away victory in a match that Pascal Gross will ensure that both teams find the net of each other.
Full-time prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Crystal Palace
