Palace v Brighton

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

The Football League

Team news

Having thrown away another two points against Wimbledon last Saturday, three points against bitter rivals Brighton are a must.

After recovering from his groin injury, Alex Kolinko should replace loan keeper Nic Michopoulos, who could return to Burnley before this weekend’s game. This would leave youngster Lance Cronin on the bench once again.

In defence, club captain Curtis Fleming is still struggling to be fit having already out of action for the past month. If Fleming doesn’t pass a late fitness test, Danny Butterfield will start at right back.

Darren Powell served his one-match ban against Wimbledon and therefore should be back to partner Tony Popovic in central defence.

Up front, Dougie Freedman is also battling against injury however he should be fit and ready to face Brighton with Francis left to decide whether Adebola or Johnson will partner the Dougster.

The last time Brighton won at Selhurst Park was Boxing Day of 1983 and with the added fact that they are currently on an 11-game losing streak, all would bode well for Palace.

However with Palace legends Steve Coppell and Simon Rodger having recently joined the Seagulls. this will not be a normal match.

Brighton have one main injury worry and it is that of defender Paul Watson who is currently struggling with a back injury which he sustained in Brighton’s 4-2 defeat to Sheffield united last weekend.

In the likely even that Watson should miss Saturday's match, Adam Hinshelwood would be his replacement at the centre of defence.

Both Dean Blackwell and Simon Rodger recently signed monthly contracts for the Seagulls and are looking to make their debuts, however its is likely that the pair will start the game from the bench as they have not had any first team action all season.

Brighton - league stats

Full league table

Brighton - current form

Full form table

Our home record v Brighton

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
18/02/1991	Full Members Cup	Brighton	0 - 2	Crystal Palace
27/03/1989	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Brighton
26/12/1988	League	Brighton	3 - 1	Crystal Palace
20/04/1987	League	Brighton	2 - 0	Crystal Palace
26/12/1986	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 0	Brighton

All time results

One to watch

Simon Rodger

Palace legend Jolly has just recently signed for the Seaweed and is the type of player they have struggled to find in their desperate struggle at the start of this season. Zamora might be their only scoring outlet, and he will be a handful if he plays.

But everyone knows how hard Jolly can battle in the midfield and under Coppell, he will want to prove to Francis just how wrong Palace were to let him go. Let's hope we can repeat the scoreline on the 11th of February 1950 when we trounced the South Coast scum 6-0!

Probable line-up

	Freedman	Johnson
Gray	Mullins	Riihilahti	Routledge
Granville	Popovic	Powell	Butterfield
Kolinko

Last meeting

English Division 2 (old) C Palace 2 (0)

Brighton 1 (0) 27-03-1989

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