Brighton & Hove Albion travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League, with the Seagulls looking to return to winning ways.
Last weekend the side played out a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town, as a Jonas Lossl own goal was cancelled out by Steven Mounie – and we’ve picked out five things to look out for ahead of the contest.
FAMILIAR OPPOSITION
Saturday’s meeting between the two sides will be the third time that the teams have faced one another so far this season.
The reverse Premier League fixture back at the Amex in November ended in a 0-0 draw, before the Seagulls beat Roy Hodgson’s side 2-1 at the same venue in the Emirates FA Cup at the start of January thanks to goals from Dale Stephens and Glenn Murray.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Albion will play away from home for the first time in a month when they take on Hodgson’s men.
After exiting the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United, the schedule saw an international break before back-to-back home matches against Leicester City and Huddersfield Town respectively.
AWAY FORM A CATALYST
Before last month’s 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, the Seagulls had picked up successive 1-1 draws against Southampton and Stoke City respectively, as well as defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 away from home in the Emirates FA Cup.
That run of matches signalled the start of a run of form that concluded in Chris Hughton being named the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for February, and Albion will be hoping to rediscover their winning touch this weekend.
STEPHENS BACK IN THE FOLD
The Seagulls had been without Dale Stephens for the defeats to Everton, Manchester United and Leicester City, but the influential midfielder returned to the fold for last Saturday’s draw with the Terriers.
Unfortunately for Albion, his midfield partner Davy Propper was shown a red card in the stalemate with David Wagner’s men – and so Stephens is likely to be joined by Beram Kayal this weekend – the pair started together in the centre of midfield during the aforementioned Emirates FA Cup victory over the Eagles in January.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Glenn Murray has plied his trade for both teams – and is Albion's top goalscorer so far this term with 13 goals in all competitions.
Supporters can watch an exclusive interview with the striker on Seagulls TV here.
The forward clinched a last-gasp winner against the Eagles in January’s Emirates FA Cup match, and has found the back of the net three times on the road this season – against Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Southampton respectively.