Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace have to study their classes forward of going through rivals Brighton on Saturday, having narrowly prevented a humiliating defeat to Southampton.
Southampton – who might go down because the worst crew in Premier League historical past with 10 factors to their title – have been near beating Palace at St Mary’s on Wednesday.
However Matheus Franca struck a 92nd-minute equaliser, cancelling out Paul Onuachu’s header and increasing Palace’s unbeaten streak to seven matches (six wins, one draw).
Palace have been one of many kind groups within the Premier League in 2025, with solely Liverpool (28) and Arsenal (25) bettering their 20 factors gained this yr.
However Glasner feels there may be extra work to be achieved, saying: “We all the time attempt to enhance step-by-step. When gamers look mentally drained, it’s not about giving them an increasing number of enter, it’s about leaving them.
“If you wish to get well, it’s additionally vital to change off, and that is what the gamers want now, after which to seek out the concentrate on Friday and be prepared for Saturday.”
Whereas Palace rescued some extent in midweek, Brighton have been overwhelmed 3-0 by fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa, however Glasner expects a troublesome sport.
“The nice factor is that Brighton have the identical rhythm as we do: Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday,” he mentioned.
“Perhaps they’ve two defeats, we’re unbeaten, and that is what we’ve got to take as a bonus for us.
“However I do know Brighton are an excellent crew, they’ve a number of tempo and we undoubtedly should play higher. Then, it’s potential to take the win.”
Oliver Glasner displays on final night time’s consequence #CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 3, 2025
Talking after Wednesday’s loss to Villa, which dropped Brighton to eighth within the desk, Fabian Hurzeler mentioned: “The small margins made an enormous distinction. I believe we created sufficient probabilities within the first half to win the sport, so there have been optimistic issues.
“We defended fairly nicely and have been well-organised and if we had scored the primary objective we would sit right here with a very completely different temper.
“So a number of frustrations and due to this fact we’ve got to analyse it and we’ve got an opportunity on Saturday in opposition to Palace to reply. We have to enhance on the small issues, that’s the major factor.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crystal Palace – Ismaila Sarr
Sarr has scored three targets in his final two residence Premier League appearances for Palace, greater than in his first 13 at Selhurst Park for the membership (one).
Sarr scored two and assisted the opposite of their three targets in a 3-1 win over Brighton in December, and the one Palace participant to attain extra targets within the competitors in opposition to the Seagulls than his two is Wilfried Zaha (5).
Brighton – Carlos Baleba
Baleba has scored two Premier League targets in London this season, netting in opposition to Chelsea and Fulham.
The one Seagulls gamers to internet three targets within the capital in a season are Glenn Murray (three in 2017-18, 4 in 2018-19) and Leandro Trossard (three in 2021-22).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Following their 3-1 win on the Amex Stadium, Palace wish to full their first league double over Brighton since 1932-33, which got here within the Third Division South.
However every of Brighton’s final 5 Premier League away video games in opposition to Palace have been drawn – the final precise top-flight fixture to complete degree in additional consecutive conferences was Charlton Athletic at residence to Coventry Metropolis between 1986 and 2000 (six).
All 5 of these matches completed 1-1. No particular fixture in English top-flight historical past has completed with the very same scoreline in six consecutive conferences earlier than.
Palace have gained their final two residence Premier League matches, whereas below Glasner, they’ve gained 41% of residence video games (9/22) and common 1.50 factors per residence sport.
Solely Tony Pulis can higher each of these totals as Eagles boss (minimal three video games) within the competitors (54% win charge, 1.77 factors per sport).
However Brighton’s 1.53 factors per sport on the highway this season is their greatest determine in a top-flight season. One other draw might due to this fact be on the playing cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Crystal Palace – 37.7%
Brighton – 36.4%
Draw – 25.9%