Crystal Palace vs Brighton – M23 Derby Preview

🏴 M23 DERBY

One of the Premier League's most intense rivalries

Crystal Palace

Manager: Oliver Glasner

League Position: 13th (Premier League)

VS

Premier League – Matchday 22

Saturday, 25 January 2025 | 17:30 GMT

Selhurst Park, London

Selhurst Park

Brighton & Hove Albion

Manager: Fabian Hürzeler

League Position: 8th (Premier League)

Match Preview

The M23 Derby returns as Crystal Palace host Brighton at a packed Selhurst Park in one of the Premier League's most passionate local rivalries. This fixture carries immense significance beyond league points, with bragging rights and local pride at stake. Palace, under Oliver Glasner, will look to utilize their home advantage and passionate support, while Brighton's possession-based approach under Fabian Hürzeler will be tested in one of English football's most intense atmospheres. With both teams boasting exciting attacking talent, this derby promises fireworks and unforgettable moments.

⚔️ Derby Rivalry Facts
First Meeting: 1920
Total Matches: 108
Nickname: "M23 Derby" or "A23 Derby"
Recent Tension: Since 1970s rivalry intensification
🔍 Tactical Battle
Crystal Palace Approach

Organized defensive structure, rapid transitions, set-piece threat, utilizing home crowd intensity

Brighton Strategy

Possession dominance, high press, progressive build-up, tactical flexibility

Key Players & Stats
Michael Olise
Michael Olise
Winger | Crystal Palace
  • ⚽ Goals: 6
  • 🎯 Assists: 8
  • 📊 Appearances: 16
João Pedro
João Pedro
Forward | Brighton
  • ⚽ Goals: 9
  • 🎯 Assists: 4
  • 📊 Appearances: 20
Recent Form
Crystal Palace

Last 5 Premier League matches:

L D W L D

Palace have been inconsistent but traditionally raise their game for derby matches at Selhurst Park.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Last 5 Premier League matches:

W L D W W

Brighton are in strong form with 3 wins in their last 5 matches as they push for European qualification.

Head to Head Record
Last 10 Premier League Meetings

Palace Wins

3

Draws

4

Brighton Wins

3

Extremely balanced recent history with both teams enjoying periods of dominance in this fierce rivalry.

Club Histories
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
  • Founded in 1905, Palace are known as "The Eagles" and play at Selhurst Park since 1924.
  • The club reached the 1990 FA Cup Final and 2016 FA Cup Final, narrowly losing both.
  • Famous for their "Holmesdale Fanatics" ultras group creating one of England's best atmospheres.
  • Palace established themselves as a Premier League mainstay since their 2013 promotion.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion
  • Founded in 1901, Brighton are known as "The Seagulls" and play at the American Express Stadium.
  • The club famously reached the 1983 FA Cup Final and have established themselves in European competition recently.
  • Brighton are renowned for their excellent recruitment and data-driven approach to player acquisition.
  • They achieved European qualification for the first time in club history in the 2022-23 season.
Derby Significance
More Than Just Three Points

The M23 Derby represents one of English football's most intense modern rivalries, fueled by geographical proximity and memorable encounters over the decades. While not as historically significant as some other derbies, the animosity has grown substantially since the 1970s. The rivalry intensified during multiple playoff meetings and has been characterized by last-minute winners, controversial decisions, and unforgettable moments that live long in the memory of both sets of fans.

For Palace fans, beating Brighton represents local supremacy and maintaining South London pride. For Brighton supporters, victory over Palace validates their rise as a established Premier League force and their attractive style of football. The atmosphere at Selhurst Park for this fixture is widely regarded as one of the most electric in the Premier League calendar.