Crystal Palace travel to the Amex on Friday, 14th January to take on Brighton & Hove Albion, in what is set to be a second fierce tie in the space of a week after victory at Millwall last time out.
There has been no shortage of drama in recent clashes between the two sides, with Neal Maupay’s last-gasp equaliser proving a real gut-punch for Patrick Vieira’s men in the first meeting this season.
The last trip to the Amex saw the Palace make the most of added time, with Christian Benteke spectacularly volleying home in the dying seconds to give Palace all three points.
After a full-blooded contest at the Den on Saturday, Palace will know exactly what is expected of them in the febrile atmosphere at Brighton.
Recovery from a goal down at half-time saw the Eagles progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in three years, with a home tie against Hartlepool United their reward. Attention now turns back to the league, however.
A frustrating result against West Ham last time out did nothing for Palace’s points tally, but there were positives to take from the game as Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise almost sparked a remarkable comeback.
Sitting comfortably in 12th place, Friday means an opportunity to push on towards the top-half, with Brighton just four points ahead.
The Seagulls are in a rich vein of form currently, winning three of their last four games and holding European champions Chelsea to a draw in the other.
A visit to the Amex should spark happy memories among the travelling fans. While Benteke’s 95th-minute heroics took place behind closed doors, the Palace faithful's last visit to the south coast saw Jordan Ayew secure all three points.
Vieira will be without Ayew as the attacker competes in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter, with Cheikhou Kouyaté and Wilfried Zaha also away with their national sides.
However, after another goal for Jean-Philippe Mateta and an inspired performance from Olise against Millwall, the manager will be pleased with the attacking options at his disposal.
In Kouyaté’s absence, Will Hughes has hit the ground running at the base of the midfield three, offering defensive cover for Conor Gallagher and Jeff Schlupp while distributing the ball calmly up the pitch.
But it was Olise who stole headlines at the Den, and he could be in-line for his first appearance against Brighton on Friday night. Vieira has a selection dilemma in attack, with Benteke and Edouard ready to return to the side, while Mateta – who scored the opener at the Amex last season – and Eberechi Eze are equally talented options.
For Brighton, the challenge will be to wrestle control of the midfield away from the visitors. Adam Lallana and Yves Bissouma provide strength and guile in the middle, but will have to compete with the energy of Gallagher and co. for the ball.
Up front, the physicality of Neal Maupay will be a threat; he has eight goals this season.
Friday, 14th January
20:00 GMT
The Amex
Sky Sports
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