It is nearly four years since Crystal Palace tasted defeat against their arch-enemies but, given how this season is panning out, Saturday’s meeting with Brighton could be filled with trepidation for their supporters.
While Patrick Vieira’s side find themselves in the familiar position of 12th – where they finished last season – just past the midway point, their rivals from down the A23 are in contention to qualify for Europe thanks in part to a scouting system that has become the envy of the country. Whereas the emergence of the Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma as the fulcrum of Roberto De Zerbi’s dashing side has provided Seagulls supporters with a new hero, Palace go into the game at Selhurst Park having won only once in their past 10 matches in all competitions and are expected to be without their own talisman, Wilfried Zaha, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
