Premier League: Back Brighton and Palace to score in derby battle

Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace resumes on Friday, with Albion sitting comfortably in the middle of the Premier League table.

This derby match, though, is one that has favoured the Selhurst Park side in recent times, with Palace building a five-match undefeated sequence in this traditionally even affair.

Brighton, however, are favourites to win this match, priced at 2.14, while Palace are available at 4.1. Meanwhile, the draw can be backed at 3.35.

Draw masters

Albion are the team in form ahead of this derby, having won three of their past four matches in all competitions, including league successes over Brentford and Everton.

Last weekend, meanwhile, they proved too strong for West Brom in the FA Cup, though they needed extra-time to defeat their 10-man Championship opponents and picked up injury issues for Enock Mwepu and Odel Offiah in the process.

Draws have been the common theme in Brighton’s campaign. Nine of their 19 Premier League matches have finished level while they have lost only four games – a record that only the top three can better.

A little more efficiency in front of goal has been the reason for their recent improvement. Brighton have scored six of their 20 Premier League goals for the season in their last three outings. Previously, they had gone on a run of netting only three times in six games.

Patrick Vieira's Palace side have only won once away from home in the Premier League this season

Palace seeking derby treble

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, go into Friday’s game as underdogs due to their inferior league position.

Patrick Vieira’s side, though, are chasing three successive away wins in Brighton for the first time in their history. Indeed, Palace have won four of their last seven trips down the M23.

They are not a side that has travelled well this season, however. Five defeats have come in their nine Premier League away trips this season, with their sole victory coming incongruously at leaders Manchester City.

That famous success arrived in early November, but they have won only two of their subsequent nine matches. These victories came against Everton and Norwich, two sides stuck in poor runs of form.

Competitive game likely

A tight game is likely. Only one of the last 10 fixtures between these clubs has seen a gulf of more than a single goal, while four of the last five have produced fewer than 2.5 goals.

A price of 2.22 on the Total Goals market for Under 2.5 looks healthy, while conversely 1.72 is on offer for Over 2.5.

There is a strong trend in this fixture for both teams to score. It has occurred in seven of the last eight meetings and is 1.98 to happen once again. It is a bet that would be a winner in five of Brighton’s last seven matches, as well as three of five for Crystal Palace in the league.

Recommended bets:

Both teams to score: Yes @ 1.98