Glasner says Palace improvements possible ahead of rivals clash
Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace need to learn their lessons ahead of facing rivals Brighton on Saturday, having narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat to Southampton.
Southampton – who could go down as the worst team in Premier League history with 10 points to their name – were close to beating Palace at St Mary's on Wednesday.
But Matheus Franca struck a 92nd-minute equaliser, cancelling out Paul Onuachu's header and extending Palace's unbeaten streak to seven matches (six wins, one draw).
Palace have been one of the form teams in the Premier League in 2025, with only Liverpool (28) and Arsenal (25) bettering their 20 points won this year.
But Glasner feels there is more work to be done, saying: "We always try to improve step by step. When players look mentally tired, it's not about giving them more and more input, it's about leaving them.
"If you want to recover, it's also important to switch off, and this is what the players need now, and then to find the focus on Friday and be ready for Saturday."
While Palace rescued a point in midweek, Brighton were beaten 3-0 by fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa, but Glasner expects a difficult game.
"The good thing is that Brighton have the same rhythm as we do: Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday," he said.
"Maybe they have two defeats, we are unbeaten, and this is what we have to take as an advantage for us.
"But I know Brighton are a very good team, they have a lot of pace and we definitely have to play better. Then, it's possible to take the win."
Oliver Glasner reflects on last night's result #CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 3, 2025
Speaking after Wednesday's loss to Villa, which dropped Brighton to eighth in the table, Fabian Hurzeler said: "The small margins made a big difference. I think we created enough chances in the first half to win the game, so there were positive things.
"We defended quite well and were well-organised and if we had scored the first goal we might sit here with a completely different mood.
"So a lot of frustrations and therefore we have to analyse it and we have a chance on Saturday against Palace to respond. We need to improve on the small things, that is the main thing."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crystal Palace – Ismaila Sarr
Sarr has scored three goals in his last two home Premier League appearances for Palace, more than in his first 13 at Selhurst Park for the club (one).
Sarr scored two and assisted the other of their three goals in a 3-1 win over Brighton in December, and the only Palace player to score more goals in the competition against the Seagulls than his two is Wilfried Zaha (five).
Brighton – Carlos Baleba
Baleba has scored two Premier League goals in London this season, netting against Chelsea and Fulham.
The only Seagulls players to net three goals in the capital in a season are Glenn Murray (three in 2017-18, four in 2018-19) and Leandro Trossard (three in 2021-22).
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Following their 3-1 win at the Amex Stadium, Palace are looking to complete their first league double over Brighton since 1932-33, which came in the Third Division South.
But each of Brighton's last five Premier League away games against Palace have been drawn – the last exact top-flight fixture to finish level in more consecutive meetings was Charlton Athletic at home to Coventry City between 1986 and 2000 (six).
All five of those matches finished 1-1. No specific fixture in English top-flight history has finished with the exact same scoreline in six consecutive meetings before.
Palace have won their last two home Premier League matches, while under Glasner, they have won 41% of home games (9/22) and average 1.50 points per home game.
Only Tony Pulis can better both of those totals as Eagles boss (minimum three games) in the competition (54% win rate, 1.77 points per game).
But Brighton's 1.53 points per game on the road this season is their best figure in a top-flight season. Another draw could therefore be on the cards.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Crystal Palace – 37.7%
Brighton – 36.4%
Draw – 25.9%