Brighton vs Crystal Palace: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 8 February 2026
One of the fixtures of Premier League Matchday 25 will take place on Sunday at the Amex Stadium in Falmer, where Brighton host Crystal Palace. Let’s analyze this fiercely contested derby from the perspective of both teams’ form and current trends.
Match preview
Brighton approach the derby in a challenging situation. In the previous round, Fabian Hürzeler’s side drew 1-1 at home against Everton, extending their winless run in the league to four matches. During this spell, the Seagulls have drawn 1-1 three times and suffered an away defeat to Fulham (1-2), which immediately dropped them to 13th in the table and widened the gap from the European spots to nine points.
Brighton’s main issue isn’t creating chances but converting them. In their last 11 Premier League matches, the team has managed just one victory and scored more than once only twice – both times against outsiders. Nevertheless, at home, the Seagulls remain a tough nut to crack: a five-game unbeaten streak at the Amex (one win and four draws) speaks to their stability, but also highlights a chronic inability to see off opponents.
The situation at Crystal Palace is even more concerning. In the last round, the Londoners drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest, taking their winless streak in the Premier League to nine matches. During that period, Oliver Glasner’s side have suffered six defeats and drawn three times, dropping to 15th and finding themselves closer to the relegation zone than to mid-table safety.
Attacking frailty remains the Eagles’ main stumbling block. The club hasn’t scored more than once in any of their last nine matches and have found the net just once in the second half across their previous seven games. Even with a compact style and disciplined defense, Palace often lack quality in the final third, meaning any goal conceded drastically reduces their chances of a positive result – especially away from home.
Probable lineups
- Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Gomez, Baleba, Gross; Rutter, Welbeck, Mitoma
- Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; I. Sarr, Pino, Johnson
Match facts and head-to-head
- Brighton are winless in their last four Premier League matches, with three of those ending 1-1.
- Crystal Palace are without a win in nine league games and haven’t scored more than once in a match since early December.
- In 9 of the last 13 head-to-head Premier League meetings between these teams, no more than two goals have been scored.
Prediction
Both teams enter the derby on lengthy winless streaks and struggling for attacking inspiration. Brighton tend to control possession and are solid at home, but rarely turn pressure into goals, while Crystal Palace play cautiously and take even fewer risks. Given these circumstances, another tight, low-scoring affair is likely on the cards.
