It is the M23 derby at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening, as Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion cross swords in the Premier League.
The Eagles produced a fantastic comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester City at the weekend. That four-goal stalemate at the Etihad Stadium represented just a second point from their last six matches for Roy Hodgson’s side, leaving them 15th in the table.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls were beaten 2-0 at the hands of league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. They have picked up just one win in their last four Premier League matches, and manager Roberto de Zerbi will be desperate for a response from his boys at Palace.
With the bragging rights at stake, here are the three key battles to watch out for.
#Eberechi Eze vs Pascal Gros
Crystal Palace received a big boost when Eberechi Eze returned ahead of schedule from injury in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City. He will be looking for freedom that allows him to become the talisman for the Eagles. The English playmaker’s creativity and flair bolster Palace’s attacking strength and could disrupt Brighton’s build-up play.
Pascal Gross—likely to be the deepest midfielder for Brighton—will look to stop that from happening. The German is the beating heart of this Seagulls’ side, with his passing and vision from deep capable of unlocking well-drilled defences. However, with Eze expected to get a swift recall to the XI after a substitute cameo against Man City, Gross will need to focus more on his defensive duties in midweek.
#Joao Pedro vs Joachim Andersen
Joao Pedro has been one of Brighton’s best players this season, quickly adapting to De Zerbi’s system following his summer switch from Watford. He has registered 11 goals and an assist in 24 appearances across all competitions, including five strikes in the Premier League.
Having started the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on the bench, Pedro expects a recall to the starting XI. He could be deployed in the No.10 role behind the main striker Evan Ferguson, and the duo’s link-up play and movement could cause problems for the Palace backline.
Joachim Andersen forms part of the Palace defence that endeavours to compact space in and around the box, with the Dane using his aggression and proactive style in these situations to stifle attacks. His strength and positional awareness also allow him to dominate in aerial battles and can make life tough for Pedro.
#Kaoru Mitoma vs Nathaniel Clyne
It is fair to say that Kaoru Mitoma has become one of the Premier League’s trickiest players in the last 12-15 months. Despite form not being on his side this season, the Japanese remains a big threat for Brighton in attack.
Nathaniel Clyne, thus, faces a stern test on Thursday evening when he comes up against Mitoma. With Palace expected to revert to a flat back four, Clyne, who started as a wing-back at the Etihad Stadium, should start at right-back with Joel Ward injured. The Englishman will have to be at his best to keep his opponent quiet, but will also look to get his own time to push forward and get involved in the attacking phase.
