Brighton predicted line-up vs. Crystal Palace: four changes made as record signing remains a doubt

Brighton & Hove Albion face their fierce rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon at the Amex Stadium – but will go into the derby game missing at least six important players and with a humbling 4-0 defeat to Luton Town in the rear-view mirror.

The Seagulls have now failed to score in three consecutive Premier League matches and we may see changes up front as Roberto de Zerbi looks to get Brighton’s campaign to qualify for Europe once more back on track, although the Italian will take comfort from the nine goals scored against Stoke City and Sheffield United in recent FA Cup matches.

We’ve got all the latest team news and injury updates below, as well as our best guess at how Brighton will line up for one of the biggest games of their season – and if you’re looking for some information to help you with your fantasy team, you can also check out our Top 500 manager’s regular advice column by clicking here.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The good news is that Brighton are close to full strength at the back, with versatile Dutch defender Joël Veltman the only player expected to be absent – a knee injury should keep him out until mid-February. Tariq Lamptey, who has missed much of the season with injury, played 45 minutes at Kenilworth Road and should be fit to start if called upon.

No players are suspended as it stands, but centre-half Igor is one of six players who are one yellow card away from missing a game. Carlos Baleba, Facundo Buonanotte, Billy Gilmour, Pascal Groß and Kaoru Mitoma are the others.

Midfield

The bad news is that De Zerbi will be very short of options in the middle of the park, with no fewer than five players expected to miss out. Mitoma and Simon Adingra remain on international duty at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, Solly March and Julio Enciso (both knee) are long-term absentees and Ansu Fati is still undergoing rehabilitation on a calf injury having not played since November.

Paraguayan midfielder Enciso is, at least, expected to return to training later in the month, but there is also a doubt over James Milner after the veteran limped off 20 minutes into the game against Luton with an apparent thigh injury. The former Liverpool and Manchester City man was later seen wearing a leg brace. De Zerbi has yet to provide an update on his condition but may reveal more in his Friday press conference.

Forwards

João Pedro is the only doubt up front for the game against Palace, after the Brazilian picked up his own knock during Tuesday’s defeat, with De Zerbi saying that it “was caused by frustration.” The Italian has said that he doesn’t yet know the extent of Pedro’s injury or how long he may be out of action for. Evan Ferguson may start up front in his stead.

Brighton predicted line-up vs. Crystal Palace

Verbruggen; Igor, Dunk, Van Hecke; Estupiñán, Groß, Gilmour, Lamptey; Buonanotte, Hinshelwood, Ferguson.