Brighton & Hove Albion host Crystal Palace at the American Express Stadium on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Premier League Matchweek 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm BST, with Brighton looking to continue an excellent start to the domestic season against their long-standing rivals.
Brighton enter the weekend third in the Premier League with 13 points from six matches, having won four, drawn one and lost one. Palace are 12th with seven points after two wins, one draw and three defeats. Brighton's goal difference is particularly impressive: they have scored 18 league goals and conceded only five.
Both teams were also involved in European competition on Thursday. Brighton comfortably beat Kauno Žalgiris 4-0 in the Conference League, while Palace lost an entertaining Europa League game 3-2 away to Lyon. The short recovery period therefore applies to both teams, although Palace also have the additional burden of travelling back from France.
Head-to-Head Summary
The Brighton-Crystal Palace rivalry has been remarkably balanced historically. Across 115 competitive meetings, Brighton have won 42, Palace have won 41 and 32 have ended level.
The more recent pattern, however, favours Palace. Across the last 10 competitive meetings, Palace have won three, Brighton have won two and five have ended in draws. Remarkably, both teams have scored 11 goals across those 10 fixtures.
Palace are unbeaten in the last four meetings. They won 3-1 at the Amex in December 2024, beat Brighton 2-1 at Selhurst Park in April 2025, drew 0-0 at home in November 2025 and then won 1-0 at the Amex in February 2026 through Ismaïla Sarr's goal.
That recent away record is particularly relevant. Palace have won their last two Premier League visits to Brighton, and the Seagulls have never previously lost three consecutive home league matches against their rivals.
Last 10 Meetings
February 8, 2026 — Premier League: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace
November 9, 2025 — Premier League: Crystal Palace 0-0 Brighton
April 5, 2025 — Premier League: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton
December 15, 2024 — Premier League: Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace
February 3, 2024 — Premier League: Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace
December 21, 2023 — Premier League: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
March 15, 2023 — Premier League: Brighton 1-0 Crystal Palace
February 11, 2023 — Premier League: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
January 14, 2022 — Premier League: Brighton 1-1 Crystal Palace
September 27, 2021 — Premier League: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
Five draws across those 10 matches underline how closely contested this rivalry has often been. Palace's recent improvement in the fixture nevertheless changes the immediate context, with Brighton now looking for their first victory against the Eagles since February 2024.
Brighton Current Form
Brighton enter the derby in outstanding form. Their last five competitive matches have all ended in victory: 5-0 away to Coventry City, 3-2 at Manchester United in the League Cup, 3-0 against Arsenal, 2-0 away to Sunderland and 4-0 against Kauno Žalgiris.
That sequence gives Fabian Hürzeler's team 17 goals scored and only two conceded. They are also unbeaten in six matches across all competitions and have won their last three Premier League games without conceding.
Their league numbers are among the strongest in England. Brighton have scored 18 goals through six Premier League matches, the joint-fastest scoring start in the club's Premier League history. They have also used their attacking depth effectively, with 10 different league goalscorers already this season.
Thursday's European win provided another encouraging sign because Hürzeler made eight changes from the team that beat Sunderland. Georginio scored twice, while Jack Hinshelwood and Matt O'Riley also found the net in a dominant 4-0 victory.
Crystal Palace Current Form
Palace's recent sequence has been much less consistent. Their last five competitive matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats: a 4-0 Europa League victory over Lech Poznań, a 0-0 draw at Leeds, a 2-0 cup defeat against Bristol City, a 3-1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest and Thursday's 3-2 defeat at Lyon.
Those five matches have produced nine Palace goals and six conceded. Pierre Sage's side have therefore shown enough attacking quality to cause problems, but maintaining defensive stability has been more difficult.
Their 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest was particularly important. Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Yéremy Pino scored as Palace collected their first home Premier League win of the campaign. However, goalkeeper Walter Benítez was required to make several major saves as Forest created numerous opportunities.
Palace again showed attacking character in Lyon. They trailed 2-0 at halftime but responded through Pino and Kamada, eventually losing 3-2 after pushing hard for an equaliser. The performance demonstrated their ability to respond when behind but also exposed defensive problems during transitions and set pieces.
Brighton Team News and Injuries
Brighton have no fresh injuries following their European victory, but Hürzeler has confirmed that several players remain unavailable for Sunday. Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer are both approaching returns but will not be ready for Palace, while Kaoru Mitoma also remains sidelined.
Pascal Struijk's suspension has been overturned, but his availability is still uncertain because of a hamstring problem. Hürzeler said Brighton would assess him after another day of recovery before making a final decision. Lewis Dunk provides an experienced alternative if Struijk cannot start.
There was positive news on Thursday with Hinshelwood returning to the starting lineup and scoring against Kauno Žalgiris. The heavy rotation also means several likely starters for the Palace match were protected from playing a full European game.
Crystal Palace Team News and Injuries
Palace have greater uncertainty surrounding their squad. Sage has not confirmed whether Dean Henderson, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ben Chilwell or Takehiro Tomiyasu will be available, with all four requiring assessment before the derby. Tomiyasu missed the Nottingham Forest victory through injury.
Axel Disasi is suspended, removing another defensive option. Palace used Disasi, Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot in Lyon, meaning Sage will need to alter that defensive structure at the Amex.
There is better news regarding Sarr. He made his first start of the season against Lyon and played just over an hour after returning from injury. Whether he is ready to start again three days later remains uncertain, but his return strengthens Palace's attacking options.
Tactical Match Analysis
Brighton's attacking movement is likely to provide Palace with their biggest problem. Hürzeler's side have scored 18 times in six Premier League games and can create through several different players rather than depending on one forward. That variety makes it difficult for opponents to concentrate their defensive plan on a single threat.
Pascal Gross remains particularly important to Brighton's control and creativity. He has been involved in seven goals across his last five Premier League appearances, scoring three and assisting four, and has provided an assist in each of his last three league matches.
Palace may deliberately allow Brighton more possession and attempt to attack quickly after recoveries. Their victory over Forest demonstrated how dangerous that approach can be, with Pino's second-half goal coming from a rapid counterattack after Palace had absorbed significant pressure.
That creates an interesting tactical risk for Brighton. Pushing full-backs and midfielders high could help them pin Palace around their penalty area, but turnovers would leave space for Pino, Sarr and potentially Jørgen Strand Larsen to exploit.
Palace's defensive workload is another major consideration. They have faced 108 shots in the Premier League this season, the highest total in the division. They faced 24 attempts while beating Nottingham Forest and 25 during their victory over Fulham, suggesting that results have sometimes depended heavily on last-ditch defending and goalkeeping.
Set pieces could also matter. Palace scored from a corner against Forest through Lerma and used a rehearsed routine to create Pino's goal against Lyon. Brighton therefore need to remain alert even if they dominate open play.
Key Players to Watch
Pascal Gross
Gross has been one of Brighton's most productive players during their strong league start. Seven goal involvements across his last five Premier League appearances demonstrate his influence both as a creator and scorer.
His passing will be important against a Palace side likely to defend in a compact shape. If Brighton struggle to create through direct attacks, Gross can change the point of attack and find runners between or behind Palace's defensive lines.
Georginio
Georginio strengthened his case for more involvement by scoring twice against Kauno Žalgiris on Thursday. His movement around the final third gives Brighton another player capable of operating centrally or moving into wider areas.
With Brighton facing their second match in four days, attacking depth could become particularly valuable during the second half.
Daichi Kamada
Kamada enters the derby in excellent Premier League form. He has been involved in four goals across his last four league appearances, with one goal and three assists after previously going 64 Palace Premier League appearances without a goal contribution.
He also scored in both of Palace's latest matches against Nottingham Forest and Lyon. His movement between midfield and attack could provide an important route around Brighton's pressure.
Yéremy Pino
Pino has become another important attacking option for Palace. He scored on the counter against Forest before producing an excellent finish from a rehearsed set piece in Lyon four days later.
His direct running could be especially dangerous if Brighton dominate possession and leave space behind their defensive line.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Brighton have won 42 of the 115 competitive meetings between the clubs, Palace have won 41 and 32 have ended in draws.
Across the last 10 meetings, Palace have three wins, Brighton two and five have ended level, with both teams scoring 11 goals.
Palace are unbeaten in the last four meetings and have won their last two Premier League matches at the Amex.
Brighton sit third with 13 points from six Premier League matches, while Palace are 12th with seven points.
Brighton have scored 18 Premier League goals and conceded five, giving them a +13 goal difference after six games.
Brighton have won their last three Premier League matches and have not conceded in any of them.
Palace have faced 108 shots in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
The numbers produce a clear contrast. Recent head-to-head history favours Palace, but virtually every current-form indicator favours Brighton. The Seagulls are scoring more, conceding less and enter the derby on a significantly stronger run of results.
Who Has the Statistical Edge?
Brighton have the statistical edge entering the fixture. Their four wins from six Premier League matches, 18 goals scored, five conceded and three consecutive league clean sheets provide a stronger current profile than Palace's two wins and three defeats.
Home advantage would normally strengthen that assessment further, although the rivalry produces an important warning. Palace have won their last two league visits to the Amex and are unbeaten in four consecutive meetings overall. That recent head-to-head record makes the fixture less straightforward than the league table suggests.
Palace also possess enough transition quality to exploit an aggressive Brighton approach. Pino and Kamada are in good attacking form, while Sarr's return adds pace if he is able to play another significant role after Thursday.
A draw is realistic given the history of this matchup, with five of the last 10 meetings ending level. However, Brighton's current attacking output, defensive record and greater ability to rotate on Thursday give Hürzeler's team the clearer statistical advantage.
Conclusion
Brighton vs Crystal Palace combines one of English football's most competitive rivalries with two teams currently moving in different directions domestically. Palace have dominated the recent head-to-head sequence and have won their last two league visits to the Amex, but Brighton enter Sunday's match third in the Premier League after an excellent opening six games.
Hürzeler's side have won five consecutive matches across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two during that sequence. Palace remain dangerous, particularly through Kamada and Pino, but they have faced more Premier League shots than any other team and arrive after an energy-intensive 3-2 European defeat in Lyon.
The recent rivalry record keeps a draw firmly within the realistic outcomes, but Brighton's current form, attacking depth and defensive numbers give them the statistical edge at the Amex.
Resolve the conflicting Brighton form totalsRemove duplicated statistical sections