Crystal Palace v Brighton: Expect score draw as arch rivals clash

As Crystal Palace meet Brighton in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Selhurst Park, each clubs’ representation of the other’s arch nemesis means the game takes on yet more significance.

It is 6/4 Palace who are slightly favoured for the first-leg advantage, though given the contrasting form of the teams heading into this bout, that price may be best avoided.

Indeed, Ian Holloway’s men have triumphed in only one of their 10 regular-season matches prior to this tie, with two goals in the final 10 minutes of their last outing condemning Peterborough to relegation.

By contrast, 7/4 Brighton come into the game on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, having won their last three in succession to secure a fourth-place finish.

But at 23/10, the draw is perhaps the outcome to side with, especially considering the away side’s tendency to play out stalemates this term.

The Seagulls have drawn a huge 18 of their 46 seasonal matches, more than any other club, whilst in the Eagles, they meet a team that couldn’t be separated from their opponents in three of their last four outings.

And for added value, there is scope to suggest backing the score draw at 3/1 is a sensible method by which to turn a profit.

Although Gus Poyet’s charges boast the Championship’s strongest defence, 12 of their 18 draws this season have seen goals equally distributed between them and their opponents.

Also, 11 of Palace’s 15 stalemates have followed the same pattern, and the fact that 2-2 draws have occurred a combined 12 times between the pair this season suggests a goal bonanza may be in store at Selhurst.

Punters can have a huge 14/1 that four goals are equally shared between the sides, whilst 10/1 odds are applicable to the possibility of at least 2.5 strikes emanating from a level-ending clash.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.