Crystal Palace travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon for another renewal of the fiercely contested south-coast derby, with Fabian Hürzeler still searching for his first victory in the fixture. Kick-off at the Amex Stadium is scheduled for 14:00 BST on 18 October.
The recent head-to-head record gives the Eagles plenty of encouragement. Palace are unbeaten across the last four meetings and have won three of those matches, while Brighton enter the contest among the Premier League's most in-form sides. The hosts have also scored 18 league goals this season, more than any other team in the division before the weekend.
Hürzeler acknowledged that his personal enjoyment of the rivalry has been limited by Brighton's results against Palace, but said the emotion surrounding the derby makes it an important occasion for everyone connected with both clubs. He stressed that his team would be aiming to deliver a victory for the home supporters.
The Brighton manager also offered a positive assessment of Palace head coach Pierre Sage. Hürzeler said he had followed Sage's work at RC Lens and admired the intensity of his teams, their use of a back three and their preference for aggressive, forward-minded and vertical football. Despite that respect, Hürzeler insisted Brighton's priority must be to impose their own style and follow their principles at home.
Brighton welcomed Jack Hinshelwood back during their midweek European victory over FK Kauno Žalgiris. However, Hürzeler indicated that Mats Wieffer, Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma were not expected to return for Sunday's match, with Wieffer and Minteh viewed as closer to comebacks in the following games. Pascal Struijk was also considered a doubt, with a decision due after further recovery and training assessment.
