Crystal Palace vs Brighton Predictions

• Crystal Palace shared four goals with Manchester City last time out
• Over 3.5 goals have been scored in 10 of Brighton’s 17 league games this season
• Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored in his last two Crystal Palace matches

Palace buoyed by City draw

Crystal Palace may have not won for six Premier League games and are without a home success in any competition since the start of September, but they will be buoyed by their last two performances.

After being somewhat unfortunately edged out by Liverpool in their last home fixture, the Eagles then battled back from two goals down to claim a more than credible 2-2 draw at Manchester City last time out.

That should give Roy Hodgson’s side renewed belief and Palace have been in good goalscoring form despite their lack of wins of late, as they have netted in seven of their last eight games.

Brighton to bounce back from first blank

Brighton have been the entertainers in the Premier League so far this season, as there has been a total of 63 goals scored in matches involving Roberto De Zerbi’s team in the top flight during 2023-24, more than any other side in the division.

The Seagulls had scored in 32 successive league games prior to Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Arsenal, while they are without a clean-sheet in the top flight since May.

Over 3.5 goals have been scored in 10 of Brighton’s 17 league games this season, including two of their last three on the road, and their clash with Palace has all the makings of a high-scoring festive battle.

With that in mind, 2-2 could be one potential outcome as three of the last four meetings between these two rivals have ended all-square, while both teams have scored in 10 of the previous 12 head-to-heads.

Mateta’s recent hot streak can continue

If Palace are to contribute to a high-scoring contest then one man that could get on the scoresheet is forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has netted in his side’s last two games against City and Liverpool.

The Frenchman’s tally for the season now stands at five across all competitions and he has fond memories of facing Brighton, as his first Premier League goal for Palace came against the Seagulls in February 2021.

A player that is usually rotated in Hodgson’s starting XI, Mateta should retain his place in the team for Thursday’s match due to the continued injury absence of fellow forward Odsonne Edouard.