Crystal Palace Predicted XI vs Brighton: Team News, Glasner

Key Points

• Crystal Palace face Brighton at the American Express Stadium on Sunday, 8 February 2026, with kick-off at 14:00 GMT.
• The Eagles aim to snap a nine-match winless streak in the Premier League, currently sitting 15th and teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.
• Manager Oliver Glasner grapples with a side struggling for goals, underperforming Expected Goals (xG) by over eight goals since mid-December.
• Palace boast resilience in derbies, drawing seven of their last 13 meetings against Brighton; a positive result is crucial to alleviate pressure.
• Adam Wharton returns from a one-match suspension to anchor midfield, but Eddie Nketiah remains sidelined by injury.
• Ismaïla Sarr, with nine goals this season, is tipped to lead the attack after scoring twice on his previous Amex visit.
• Dean Henderson starts in goal; expected back three includes Maxence Lacroix, with Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell as wing-backs.
• Midfield duo of Wharton and Will Hughes provides stability; Yeremy Pino and Brennan Johnson support Sarr upfront.
• Predicted XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; I. Sarr, Pino, Johnson.
• UK viewers can tune into Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting one hour before kick-off via TV or Sky Go app.
• Palace risk becoming the league’s lowest scorers since Matchday 16 without a clinical edge.

South Coast (South London News) February 8, 2026 – Crystal Palace head to Brighton’s American Express Stadium today desperate to halt a wretched nine-match winless run in the Premier League, clinging to 15th place just above the relegation trapdoor. Manager Oliver Glasner, overseeing a goal-shy squad that has squandered over eight Expected Goals (xG) since mid-December, welcomes back midfielder Adam Wharton from suspension but must cope without injured striker Eddie Nketiah. The match kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with UK fans able to watch live on Sky Sports Main Event.

What Drives Crystal Palace’s Desperate Bid for Points?

Crystal Palace’s form has plummeted, leaving them in a precarious 15th position and on the brink of the relegation zone after enduring a dismal nine-match winless streak in the Premier League. As detailed in the original match preview, the Eagles have journeyed to the South Coast aiming to reignite their campaign under Oliver Glasner, who faces mounting pressure amid the side’s struggles. Despite recent woes, Palace have shown derby resilience, securing draws in seven of their last 13 encounters with Brighton – a statistic that offers faint hope ahead of this vital clash.

Glasner’s squad has been particularly blunt upfront, underperforming their xG tally by more than eight goals since mid-December, transforming what could have been respectable hauls into barren returns. This profligacy threatens to label them the league’s lowest scorers from Matchday 16 onwards unless they sharpen their edge today. A result here is not merely desirable but essential, as the Austrian manager seeks to steady the ship before relegation nerves truly fray.

Who Returns and Who Is Missing in Crystal Palace’s Squad?

Oliver Glasner can breathe a sigh of relief with the return of his primary midfield anchor, Adam Wharton, who is available to start following a one-match suspension. As reported in the team news update, Wharton’s reinstatement bolsters a midfield craving stability, allowing Glasner to field a more robust engine room. However, the joy is tempered by Eddie Nketiah’s absence through injury, forcing the manager to pivot to alternative attacking options.

Ismaïla Sarr emerges as the focal point in attack, burdened with the responsibility of providing the goals after netting nine times this season. Notably, Sarr scored twice during his last visit to the Amex, a memory that could prove pivotal. Glasner is expected to lean heavily on the forward’s clinical instincts to pierce Brighton’s defence and salvage Palace’s afternoon.

How Will Crystal Palace Line Up Against Brighton?

The predicted Crystal Palace XI paints a picture of defensive solidity fused with attacking flexibility: Henderson in goal; a back three of Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Riad; wing-backs Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell supplying width. Midfield sees Wharton partnering Will Hughes for defensive steel, while Yeremy Pino and Brennan Johnson flank Ismaïla Sarr in a fluid front three.

Dean Henderson earns the nod between the posts, anchoring a rearguard featuring Maxence Lacroix at its heart. Muñoz and Mitchell’s marauding runs from the flanks will be key to stretching play, feeding Pino, Johnson, and Sarr who must convert chances with ruthless efficiency. This setup underscores Glasner’s bid for balance – shoring up vulnerabilities while chasing the creativity lacking in recent outings.

When Does the Brighton vs Crystal Palace Clash Kick Off?

The Premier League fixture unfolds at the American Express Stadium on Sunday, 8 February 2026, with kick-off slated for 14:00 GMT. Fans on the South Coast and beyond anticipate a tense derby atmosphere as Brighton host a Palace side fighting for survival. This midday slot aligns with the league’s packed schedule, ensuring maximum visibility for what promises to be a gritty encounter.

How Can UK Fans Watch Brighton vs Crystal Palace Live?

UK supporters have prime access to the action via Sky Sports Main Event, where live coverage commences one hour before kick-off. Viewers can tune in through television or stream via the Sky Go app, capturing every moment from build-up to final whistle. This broadcast arrangement ensures comprehensive coverage, including expert analysis on Palace’s lineup and tactical gambits.

Why Is This Derby So Crucial for Oliver Glasner?

Oliver Glasner oversees a Crystal Palace outfit that, despite derby pedigree, stares down the barrel of potential catastrophe. The nine-match winless run has eroded confidence, with their xG underperformance highlighting systemic issues in front of goal. As the manager plots Wharton’s integration and Sarr’s deployment, a draw – let alone a victory – could echo their seven stalemates in 13 prior Brighton ties, buying vital breathing space.

Pressure mounts on Glasner not just from results but from Palace’s slide towards the foot of the table. Resilience in these fixtures has historically buoyed the Eagles, but today’s stakes demand more than stubbornness – clinical finishing from Sarr, Pino, and Johnson is non-negotiable to evade the dreaded drop zone.

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Palace’s Defence and Attack?

Defensively, Dean Henderson guards a back three of Richards, Lacroix, and Riad, with Muñoz and Mitchell tasked with width amid Brighton’s probing threats. Midfield anchors Wharton and Hughes must neutralise opposition transitions, freeing the front three to exploit spaces. Yet, without Nketiah, Sarr shoulders outsized expectations, his Amex heroics a blueprint for success.

Palace’s recent goal drought – flirting with the league’s nadir since Matchday 16 – amplifies the urgency. Glasner’s flexible setup hinges on Pino and Johnson’s support runs, but conversion remains the Achilles’ heel. Overcoming this, while maintaining derby grit, defines their survival blueprint.

Who Are the Key Players to Watch in Palace’s Predicted XI?

• Dean Henderson: The goalkeeper’s shot-stopping will be pivotal behind a reshaped defence.
• Adam Wharton: Returning suspension, his midfield composure could dictate tempo.
• Ismaïla Sarr: Nine goals and Amex memories make him the spearhead.
• Maxence Lacroix: Central to the back three’s organisation.
• Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell: Wing-backs whose crosses fuel attacks.
• Will Hughes: Partners Wharton for steel.
• Yeremy Pino and Brennan Johnson: Flank threats in the front three.

This lineup (Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Riad; Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; I. Sarr, Pino, Johnson) balances caution with ambition, tailored for derby’s demands.

What Context Surrounds This South Coast Showdown?

Crystal Palace’s travel to Brighton encapsulates a season teetering on the precipice. Glasner’s tenure, marked by xG waste and winless misery, tests his mettle in a fixture steeped in history. Seven draws from 13 underline mutual respect, but Palace crave points to distance from danger.

The Amex awaits, its raucous crowd spurring Brighton while Palace eye spoils. Coverage on Sky Sports ensures global eyes, amplifying stakes for Glasner’s charges.