In-form Brighton host a Palace side back from Lyon
On Sunday, 18 October 2026, Brighton take on Crystal Palace at the American Express Stadium, in round 7 of the Premier League. Fabian Hürzeler’s side are third with 13 points, have scored 18 league goals and have won five games in a row, including a 3-0 win over Arsenal. Palace are 12th with seven points and travelled back from Lyon, where they lost 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday. Kick-off is at 15:00 CEST, with Rob Jones the referee.
“For the moment I really don’t know.” – Palace manager Pierre Sage on Henderson, Mateta, Chilwell and Tomiyasu
Predicted lineups: Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Pascal Struijk has a hamstring problem, so Lewis Dunk is likely to start. Minteh and Wieffer are not ready yet. Palace are without Axel Disasi, who starts a three-match ban, and Riad, while Sage could not say whether Henderson, Mateta, Chilwell or Tomiyasu will be fit. Brighton’s graphic is my own projection from the Sports Mole names, with Dunk in for Struijk; Palace’s follows Sports Mole.
Brighton Team News & Preview
Brighton beat Kauno Žalgiris 4-0 at home on Thursday with a rotated side, firing 36 shots. Before that, they won 2-0 at Sunderland with ten men. In the league they have beaten Arsenal 3-0 and have conceded only one goal at home.
Pascal Gross is in fine form, with three goals and four assists in his last five league games. Brighton also played at home on Thursday, so their travel load was lighter than Palace’s.
What works for or against Brighton
- Five wins in a row.
- 18 league goals, the most in the division.
- One home goal conceded.
- Palace have won three of the last four league meetings.
Crystal Palace Team News & Preview
Palace had no shot on target in the first half in Lyon on Thursday before Pino and Kamada scored after the break. They lost 3-2 and then had to travel home. Benítez was in goal, and Henderson is a doubt for Sunday.
Palace have faced 108 shots, the most in the Premier League. They beat Forest 3-1 last weekend, but Forest had more shots and a higher xG. Disasi’s suspension weakens a back three that is already under pressure.
What works for or against Crystal Palace
- Faced 108 shots, the most in the league.
- Travelled back from Lyon after Thursday.
- Disasi suspended, several doubts.
- Won three of the last four league meetings.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Draw No Bet
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Brighton vs. C. Palace Stats Comparison
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Brighton vs. C. Palace Form Guide
Brighton Form, Stats & Data
Brighton score 3.00 league goals per game and concede 0.83. At home they have two wins and a draw, with 8 goals scored and 1 conceded.
C. Palace Form, Stats & Data
Palace score 1.50 league goals per game and concede 2.00. Away from home they have one win, one draw and one defeat.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace: Prediction & Betting Tip
Brighton have won five in a row, are the league’s top scorers and have conceded once at home. Palace face more shots than anyone, are missing Disasi and travelled back from Lyon on Thursday night. I like Brighton to win at 1.49.
The obvious danger is this fixture’s recent history. Palace have won three of the last four league meetings, and Brighton have lost their last two home league games against them. Kamada and Pino scored in Lyon, so Palace can still hurt Brighton on the break. But Brighton’s form and Palace’s tired, depleted squad make me happy to back the hosts.
So it is Brighton to win at 1.49 with Winz for me, and I expect a 2-0 scoreline.