Opposition briefing: Everything you need to know about Brighton

Match previews

14 Dec 2024

Crystal Palace travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon to renew our longstanding rivalry, and before kick-off, it’s time to get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Factfile

Manager: Fabian Hurzeler
Position: 7th
Nickname: Seagulls
Ground: Amex Stadium
Founded: 1901 (123 years ago)

What’s the story?

Brighton & Hove Albion have enjoyed a positive start following Fabian Hurzeler's arrival as head coach, after the German replaced the outgoing Roberto De Zerbi following an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Albion were able to remain unbeaten over their first five games, which included a draw with title-chasing Arsenal, with Hurzeler duly winning the August Manager of the Month award.

But the last two weeks have proven tricky; a 3-1 away defeat at Fulham was followed by losing a two-goal lead away at Leicester, with Albion eventually having to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Overall, sitting seventh in a congested league table represents a decent start for Hurzeler, who is also the youngest manager in Premier League history at 31 years of age.

Albion also made several new additions to their squad in the summer, many of whom are still adjusting to the top-flight, including winger Yankuba Minteh and playmaker Matt O'Riley. But they also have plenty of Premier League experience to call upon, notably former England internationals James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

The boss

German coach Hurzeler was, for many, a surprise replacement for the much loved Roberto De Zerbi in the summer.

But his work at previous club St Pauli was hugely impressive, taking the 2.Bundesliga club away from a relegation battle and eventually winning a place to the top-flight; then-Palace loanee Scott Banks assisted the winner on promotion day.

Boot in both camps

Several players have crossed the divide between the two clubs down the decades, and we've actually got a feature looking at five of the best to do so here.

The most notable? Likely former forward Glenn Murray, who is still held in high regard by both sets of supporters to this day.

Record against Palace

The Eagles will be looking for a first win away from home against Brighton since a dramatic Monday night back in February 2021. A 95th-minute winner from Christian Benteke secured a 2-1 win, with Jean-Philippe Mateta's backheeled finish our other goal in a memorable victory.

The only downside was that there were, sadly, no away supporters were present to witness it, with the game played during the third UK national covid-19 lockdown and staged behind closed doors.

As well as being our most recent victory against our old rivals, that was also our second away win at Albion in a row. Just under a year before, Jordan Ayew struck a memorable late winner after he was played in by Benteke, earning our first victory at the Amex Stadium.

Palace had a tough time away at Brighton last season, but overall, meetings have been fairly even since Albion joined Palace in the Premier League. Our record against them during that time stands at three wins, four defeats and six draws.

Did you know?

Brighton's move to their current home is well documented as one of the longest running stadium sagas in football history. When the club's previous home - the Goldstone Ground - was sold in 1995, the club were evicted just two years later.

This saw Albion play home games at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium, some 74 miles away, and later Withdean Stadium. But what you might not know is that stadium had previously operated as a zoo and a miniature railway attraction. It was also originally a lawn tennis venue, even playing host to a Davis Cup tie between Great Britain and New Zealand in 1939.

Withdean was eventually being developed as an athletics stadium, known in track and field circles for being the home track of GB Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett.

As anyone who ventured to the venue in the early-2000s will testify, it was an odd place to play football.

Only one stand was permanent, with the others all assembled from scaffolding, while changing rooms came in the form of portable cabins. In 2004, Withdean was voted the fourth worst stadium in history by newspaper The Observer. Incidentally, Priestfield which, as mentioned, had also temporarily hosted Albion, was voted the worst.

With the rent on Withdean, their investment in a new stadium and other debts, the club needed to raise £2.5 million to stay afloat. Fundraising efforts were introduced, and ranged from players featuring on nude Christmas cards to a charity single ‘Tom Hark’, which reached No. 17 in the charts.

Brighton did eventually receive full permission for the new home at Falmer in September 2007, with the new ground opening under four years later in July 2011 for a friendly fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. It has since gone onto to host Rugby World Cup and Women's European Championship fixtures.

Away fans heading down on Sunday who can remember travelling down to Withdean Stadium in years gone by will know all too well that it is a world away from Brighton's modern home.

Match details

Sunday, 15th December
14:00 GMT
The Amex Stadium
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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