Only the top three – Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool – have lost fewer Premier League matches than Brighton this season, with the Seagulls suffering just four defeats from 19 matches, while a total of 27 points has left them in ninth spot, just four points behind seventh-placed Manchester United.
Graham Potter’s side finished 16th in England’s top flight last season but look capable of challenging for a top-half spot this term, and the hosts will bring a four-game unbeaten run into Friday’s M23 derby.
Indeed, the Seagulls have picked up seven points from their last three Premier League matches, beating Brentford and Everton, in addition to claiming a welcome point away to Chelsea on December 29.
Brighton also secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday courtesy of a 2-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion, with the club due to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the next round at the start of February.
Albion have won 37, drawn 25 and lost 35 of their previous 97 league meetings with Palace, but they are without a victory in their last five top-flight fixtures against the Eagles and suffered a 2-1 defeat in the corresponding match during the 2020-21 campaign.
Palace, meanwhile, will enter Friday’s contest off the back of a 2-1 win over Millwall in the FA Cup, with Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta on the scoresheet at the Den.
The Eagles have lost two of their last three Premier League matches, though, including a 3-2 defeat at home to West Ham United on New Year’s Day, with Patrick Vieira’s side unable to recover after conceding three times in the opening 45 minutes of the contest at Selhurst Park.
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A record of five wins, eight draws and seven defeats from 20 matches has brought Palace 23 points, which is enough for 12th position in the table, four points behind their opponents here.
Vieira’s team have again been in strong form in front of their own supporters this season but have found it difficult on their travels, winning just one of their nine league fixtures away from Selhurst Park.
The Eagles, who will host Liverpool in their next league outing, recorded a 2-1 victory at the Amex last season, though, with Mateta and Christian Benteke on the scoresheet for the visitors
