Fierce rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion contest the first leg of their playoff semi-final at Selhurst Park on Friday, with the Seagulls in far better form than their hosts.
Crystal Palace vs. Brighton and Hove Albion, 2013 Championship playoff semi-final: Preview and TV Schedle
Crystal Palace and Brighton are already bitter rivals, so their playoff semi-final should be a fiery occasion as both sides bid to win promotion to the Premier League.
Charlie Crowhurst
Palace boss Ian Holloway may take solace from the fact that form tends to matter little in games of this magnitude, especially between rivals, but his side only just limped over the line while Brighton have been flying for the end of season run-in.
All eyes will be on Manchester United loanee Wilfried Zaha as the key man for the home side, although the likes of Glenn Murray and Jon Williams will also be threats for Brighton. The visitors, meanwhile, are likely to see players such as Inigo Calderon and Will Buckley return to the side as they look to book a historic debut season in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Paddy McCarthy (groin), Jonathan Parr (ankle ligament), Stephen Dobbie (ineligible)
Brighton and Hove Albion injuries and suspensions
Out: Bruno (calf), Craig Mackail-Smith (achilles), Will Hoskins (knee), George Barker (absent)
Crystal Palace will be without defenders McCarthy and Parr due to injury, while Stephen Dobbie is ineligible as he is on loan from Brighton. Ian Holloway has no other new injury concerns, however, with his side in the same shape they were in the last fixture.
Brighton are without long-term absentees Will Hoskins and Craig Mackail-Smith, while Bruno is also out with a calf problem. George Barker will not be available as he is involved in a court case.
Match Date\Time: Friday 10th May, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Selhurst Park, London, England
TV: beIN Sport (U.S. English), beIN Sport Espanol (U.S. Spanish)
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