Saturday 14th April 2018
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion 15:00
Ok, at first glance, not the most eye-catching Premier League game but being bitter rivals, plus with Palace in dire need of points then there’s certainly a lot of added spice and a nice sub-plot attached to the match.
Palace are currently in 17th place – fourth from bottom and just one place of the relegation places – with only 31 points but with things extremely close between the bottom 7 or 8 teams then a victory here can see the Eagles catapult right up.
Brighton start this week in 13th, with 35 points, and with 5 games to go should be safe from the drop now.
The teams played earlier this season with that finishing 0-0 – a repeat of that score can be backed at 8.00, while they also met in the FA Cup this season – that finished Brighton 2-1 Palace.
With Brighton coming up from the Championship last season the last repeat fixture was in 2013 and that also ended 0-0.
In fact, Palace have actually won just one of their last five games against Brighton so the 1.95 on offer on either a Brighton win, or a draw looks a tempting bet for punters in on the ‘double chance’ market.
Other options might be to look at the ‘both teams ‘NOT’ to score’ option at 1.70 – this bet has rewarded punters in 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads.
We’ve already touched on the fact we’ve seen a lot of 0-0 draws when these sides meet recently, but 3 of the last 4 clashes at Selhurst Park have also ended all-square.
The match betting sees Palace as the 1.85 favourites in the betting, with the Draw 3.50 and Brighton on offer at 4.20.
5 of the last 9 head-to-heads produced OVER 2.5 GOALS – this can be backed at 2.25, while former Palace player – Glenn Murray – is Brighton’s leading league scorer this season on 11 goals, with Palace’s Milivojevic topping the scoring lists for the Eagles with 10. Both are worth a second look in the anytime and first scorer markets.
It’s a tough game to call – with so much at stake. Brighton are sure to want to make life hard for Palace with the teams having several past years of rivalry but the Selhurst Park crowd and home advantage are also sure to help the Eagles. That, however, could work against the home side too with nerves playing a part and the longer it stays 0-0 then this will further add to this.
It’s hard to get away from Brighton’s excellent recent record over Palace though – don’t forget, the Eagles have won just one of their last 5 against Brighton. Therefore, the 1.95 on offer on Brighton/Draw in the ‘Double Chance’ is the way we’re going to play this one.
BEST BET: BRIGHTON/DRAW ‘DOUBLE CHANCE’ @1.95
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Saturday 14th April 2018
Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion 15:00
– Already played this season in the league, Brighton 0-0 Palace
– Also met in the FA Cup this season, Brighton 2-1 Palace
– Last repeat fixture (May 2013), Palace 0-0 Brighton
– Palace have won just 1 of their last 5 vs Brighton
– Both teams DIDN’T score in 5 of the last 6 head-to-heads
– 2 of the last 3 head-to-heads at Palace ended in DRAWS
– 2 of the last 4 head-to-heads ended in 0-0 DRAWS
– 5 of the last 9 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS
– Palace’s top league scorer this season is Milivojevic (9)
– Brighton’s top league scorer this season is Murray (11)