The Amex Stadium is set for an important M23 derby as Brighton faces Crystal Palace this Sunday afternoon, both teams aiming for local bragging rights and to improve their recent performances.
Both teams enter this second derby of the season looking for a much-needed fresh start. Brighton, managed by Fabian Hürzeler, is known for drawing matches, with a total of 10 draws this season, the highest in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is struggling with a nine-match winless streak, currently sitting in 15th place, only two points away from the relegation zone.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
- Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
- Venue: American Express Stadium, Brighton
- Referee: Thomas Bramall
- VAR: James Bell
- Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 0–0 Brighton (9 Nov 2025), Premier League
Team News
Brighton
Diego Gomez is back in the squad, according to Hürzeler. Yasin Ayari will not play due to a shoulder injury from last weekend, and Mats Wieffer is still recovering from a toe issue. The team continues to miss long-term injured players Solly March, Adam Webster, and Stefanos Tzimas. Joel Veltman is likely to be the starting right-back.
Crystal Palace
Adam Wharton returns after serving a one-match ban, but Eddie Nketiah will miss Sunday’s match due to an injury. Cheick Doucouré, Justin Devenny, and Daichi Kamada are also out. Ismaïla Sarr is expected to lead the attack and has scored nine goals in all competitions this season.
Form
Brighton
Brighton has been tough to beat at home, having lost only two of their last 20 league matches at the Amex. Only Liverpool and Arsenal have recorded fewer home losses in the last two seasons. However, they have only secured nine points in the Premier League since December.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace arrives on the South Coast struggling with their scoring. They have underperformed their Expected Goals (xG) by over eight goals since Matchday 16, the worst finishing differential in the league. Seven of the last 13 encounters between the two teams have resulted in draws, and Sarr remains a key player, having scored twice in his last appearance at the Amex.
Predicted Lineups
Brighton Predicted XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Gomez, Baleba, Gross; Rutter, Welbeck, Mitoma
Crystal Palace Predicted XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; I. Sarr, Pino, Johnson
How to Watch Brighton vs Crystal Palace?
The match will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with coverage starting at 13:00 GMT.
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