Thursday night football has worked out pretty well for Brighton this season as they topped their group to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League.
They haven’t fared so well in subsequent Sunday matches, however, winning just one of their six Premier League outings after being involved in action in Europe’s second tier, a trend that continued when they produced a dismal performance in a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal at the weekend.
But the Seagulls will surely bounce back in Thursday’s M3 derby, although anyone with any sense will jump on the rattler from Brighton station as the train journey to Selhurst, including a brief change at East Croydon, takes a smidgeon over an hour.
Robert De Zerbi’s side have lost just twice in their last 12 games – to Chelsea and the Gunners – and both matches were in the capital so travelling to the outskirts of London doesn’t look good.
However, despite their valiant fightback to gain a draw at the Etihad Stadium after being 2-0 down to wobbly Manchester City with 15 minutes remaining, the Eagles have won only two of their last 14 matches.
Like many teams, they have been hit by significant injuries but that excellent point and the likely return of Eberechi Eze will give them a timely boost.
So who will emerge on top in what promises to be a real Christmas cracker?
The answer is neither side as five of the last eight matches between the two clubs have ended in a 1-1 draw which is 5/2 with William Hill and bet365.
A draw with both teams to score is 7/2 with the latter although their offer of 6/1 for another 1-1 draw is more appealing.
Bet365 are also the best price at 10/3 for the draw with Palace +1 just in case Brighton enjoy a narrow victory.
Eze is 10/3 with Sky Bet to score at any time during his return to Roy Hodgson’s starting lineup and Seagulls striker Evan Ferguson can pay for a couple of rounds in the pub on the last work day before the festivities by hitting the net for the visitors at 21/10, again with bet365.
• Former champion Rob Cross has been in top form in the build-up to the world darts championship and is 11/4 with StarSports to make further progress at the Alexandra Palace by beating Thibault Tricole 3-1.
• Birmingham had something about them in Monday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Championship leaders Leicester, stick them in Saturday’s Football League yankee with Bolton, Blackpool and Barnsley.
That’s me done for 2023, so merry Christmas one and all!
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