Brighton and Crystal Palace hope for Back-to-Back Wins

The Premier League fixtures come thick and fast this week and there is a whole round of matches to enjoy on Tuesday and Wednesday night.  On Tuesday night, Brighton and Hove Albion welcome Crystal Palace to the American Express Community Stadium.

Brighton could have the chance to move into the top half of table with a win and that would be a great position ahead of the busy Christmas period.  Crystal Palace are still only 3 points clear of the relegation zone and their focus will be on moving away from the bottom of the table.

Having gone 1-0 down at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, Brighton came back into the match to win the game 2-1.  Huddersfield were reduced to ten men but Brighton took full advantage to seal maximum points in a crucial game.

That win means Brighton are undefeated in their last two matches, having picked up a point in their previous game at home with Leicester City.  Despite losing at Everton and Cardiff City, Brighton have lost only two of their last seven Premier League games, winning four of them.

Trends show Brighton are particularly strong at home and they have lost just one of their six home Premier League games this season. Including games from last season, Brighton have lost one of their last nine at home in the Premier League.

However, Brighton have scored just a single goal in each of their last four home Premier League matches but have kept a clean sheet in two of the last three.

Crystal Palace picked up a good 2-0 win over Burnley at Selhurst Park on the weekend.  Having been to Old Trafford the week before and come away with a point in a 0-0 draw, it was vital the Eagles backed that up with a win on home soil and they did so convincingly.

That was Crystal Palace’s first win in their last nine games in all competitions and their first in their last nine Premier League matches.  Trends show Crystal Palace are yet to string back-to-back wins together this season and Roy Hodgson will see this as a great opportunity to put the record straight.

However, Crystal Palace have lost three and drawn one of their last four away Premier League games and need to improve on the road if they are to win this match.

Looking ahead to the team news and Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is struggling with a hamstring injury and could miss the game.  Dale Stephens is suspended for the hosts.

Crystal Palace are still without strikers Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham who are both injured.  Scott Dann has made a return to training but is more likely to feature on the weekend.

Brighton are good at home and will be looking to take advantage of Crystal Palace’s winless streak on the road.  This will be a close game and playing at home could be the deciding factor for Brighton to claim maximum points.