Finally, it’s time for the first Crystal Palace vs Brighton derby match of the season after the first was cancelled due to a train strike back in September.

Brighton are in great form, having beaten Liverpool twice and losing only once in their last seven. The arrival of new manager De Zerbi and the departure of some of their top players like Trossard, who moved to Arsenal in January, hasn’t worsened the team’s performance, in fact, they seem to have got better. Mitoma is currently in the form of his life so the Palace defence will need to deal with him.

Palace have had a few tough fixtures in the last month, playing Manchester United twice in the league, Newcastle and Chelsea. Brighton is another tough game, but anything can happen in this derby match. Palace looked like a different team after Casemiro was sent off in the second half and put pressure on the Red Devils to get an equaliser. With a few key players still out, others will have to step up and fight for points against their rival.

Keep reading for team news and our Crystal Palace vs Brighton prediction.

Crystal Palace team news

Patrick Vieira will be hoping Andersen will return for extra cover at the centre of defence. Richards has been solid when he’s been called upon, but Andersen and Guehi are still the preferred two centre backs. Initially, it was a calf injury that looked to keep him out for a couple of weeks, that was two weeks ago.

Another key setback for Palace was the hamstring injury that Zaha sustained against Newcastle. He’s expected to be out for another couple of weeks at least and will be disappointed to miss out on this local rivalry which he usually thrives in.

There is one boost for Vieira’s squad, though, James McArthur will be in the squad for the match after months out. Nathan Ferguson is still not back in the squad.

Brighton team news

With rumours flying around, that further Brighton star players plan to leave in the summer transfer window, owner Bloom and manager De Zerbi will want to finish as high as possible to try to keep key players.

World Cup winner with Argentina, Alexis Mac Allister, missed Brighton’s previous match due to a one-match suspension, but he’ll be available for this match and is one of the players that is linked with a move away from the Amex.

Caicedo made his return against Bournemouth as a substitute after trying to get a move to Arsenal in January. He’ll likely play an important role in the match at Selhurst Park tomorrow. However, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder, and Levi Colwill are three players that won’t feature in the match, but at the moment, it feels like Brighton keep finding new gems every week.

Crystal Palace vs Brighton Prediction

The fact that Crystal Palace and Brighton still have two league fixtures against each other makes this match even more exciting. Palace’s home support will be as strong as ever, but this rivalry runs deep, so the away fans will also make a lot of noise.

It’s always a tough fixture to call, and without Zaha, Palace will need someone else to step up and drag them over the line to get all three points. However, our Crystal Palace vs Brighton prediction is that it will be a 1-1 draw.

Palace are in need of a win not to get pulled into the relegation battle, so we hope that it’s not just a draw.

It was just over two weeks ago that Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Manchester United in the league. That was at Selhurst Park, this time round it’s at Old Trafford, and with Erik Ten Hag’s United side now confirmed in their first final of the season they’re full of confidence.

Crystal Palace had a break last weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round against Southampton. Man United beat Championship side Reading 3-1 and then a few days later beat Forest in the League Cup semi-final.

It’s the first Premier League match after the January transfer window and with both sides signing new players on deadline day, we expect to see these new players involved in the match.

Keep reading for team news and our Man United vs Crystal Palace match prediction.

Crystal Palace team news

The main Crystal Palace team news before this match is that Wilfried Zaha is out for the foreseeable future with a hamstring injury. After not being able to finish the match against Newcastle, a scan revealed the extent of the injury. This will likely see Eze go out on the left wing in his place.

The Eagles made one permanent signing in the January window with Naouirou Ahamada coming from Stuttgart for £10m. The young 20-year-old French midfielder plays mainly as a number 8, but can also play as a 6 too. 

Arsenal’s Sambi Lokonga also signed for Palace on a six-month loan deal that will see him in red and blue until the end of the season. He’s looked lively for Arsenal when he’s played, especially in the Europa League, so we’re looking forward to seeing him perform for Palace.

Other injuries apart from Zaha are the long-term absentees, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson. Plus, Joachim Andersen needs to be assessed and Vieira will likely give an update on his fitness before the match on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United team news

Manchester United are in great form at the moment, but unfortunately, they’ll be without Eriksen after that horrific tackle from Andy Carroll in the FA Cup fourth-round tie. That was the reason they signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan on deadline day from Bayern Munich.

Wednesday night’s match with Nottingham Forest saw both Martial and Jadon Sancho make their returns after long periods out.

Other United players that won’t be available are Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek. Diogo Dalot was scheduled to return in time for this match, but after just coming back from a thigh injury, it’s likely that former Palace academy graduate Aaron Wan-Bissaka will start at right back.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Prediction

With these two teams having played each other just over two weeks ago, it makes it a bit trickier to call the match. However, United are in their best form in years, and with Erik Ten Hag as manager, they look like they can’t lose at the moment.

That’s why our Man United vs Crystal Palace prediction is a home win for the Red Devils. We’re going for a 2-0 victory over the Eagles. Palace without Zaha and potentially still Andersen is going to be tough against a strong United side.

Crystal Palace’s tough run of fixtures continues with another home match this weekend against Eddie Howe’s high-flying Newcastle. After getting a draw against Man United, Vieira will be hoping his team can get more than one point against The Magpies.

Newcastle have had a rest during the week after defeating Fulham 1-0 at home last weekend. Mitrovic missed a penalty in that which kept Newcastle on their hunt for a top-four finish and some fans would argue a title charge too.

Palace deserved a point from the match with Manchester United especially after the performance against Chelsea last weekend too. Vieira will be pleased with his team, especially Olise, who pulled out a spectacular free kick to equalise.

Keep reading for the team news as well as our Crystal Palace vs Newcastle prediction.

Crystal Palace team news

Chris Richards stepped in for injured Joachim Andersen in the match with Manchester United on Wednesday night and put in a really solid performance. That was his first Premier League start and it looks like he’ll get his second as the Dane is still out injured. 

Richards needs game time to grow his confidence, but couldn’t break into the team ahead of Guehi or Andersen. He’d also suffered some injuries since signing for The Eagles. When they’re all fit, Vieira could switch to a back five as Richards is also calm on the ball.

James Tomkins wasn’t 100% fit to start in front of Richards, so we expect him to be on the bench as a replacement in defence. Most probably along with Joel Ward as Clyne was another Palace defender that had a good game against United.

Long-term absentees, James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are both still out with injuries so won’t take part in this match and probably not the next either.

Newcastle United team news

Swedish striker Isak came on after the 70th minute with Fulham and got the winner in the 89th minute, showing why they spent out on him.

One transfer rumour is that Chris Wood could be on his way to Nottingham Forest on loan as he’s not featuring much due to Wilson and Isak’s form.

When it comes to Newcastle’s injuries, Howe will be without Krafth, Shelvey, and Targett. There are also question marks around the fitness of Brazilian midfielder, Guimaraes.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle Prediction

Selhurst Park was somewhat of a fortress last season, but it hasn’t been that way this season. Vieira and his players will be wanting to change that and we think there might be a slight chance of a Palace win, but Newcastle are going to be a tough opponent.

Newcastle’s win against Fulham wasn’t as comfortable as they would’ve liked, but three points are three points and the winning momentum for them continues.

Our Crystal Palace vs Newcastle prediction is going to be another home draw like with Manchester United in midweek. We’re going for a 1-1 score draw, although it’s tough to call.