Brighton v Crystal Palace: Back Poyet's boys on home soil

13May 2013

England - The Championship

The Seagulls should make their class count against Crystal Palace and advance to Wembley, says Andy Tongue

Monday May 13

19:45 GMT

Live on Sky Sports Two

There's little time to sit and back and reflect ahead of the second legs of these Championship playoffs with the rapid turnaround but Brighton will be favourites to reach the final with home advantage after the first leg ended goalless, much to our delight having tipped it up at 10.5 on here.

Brighton

Gus Poyet's side finished top of the form table for the final nine games of the Championship season and are now unbeaten in ten after Friday's draw. They have yet to lose at the Amex Stadium in 2013, winning seven and drawing three of their ten home fixtures. Albion ran out convincing 3-0 winners when the sides met here in March but this is unlikely to be as one-sided as that game was. Leonardo Ulloa should have scored in the first-half at Selhurst Park and will give the visitors' defence plenty to think about.

Crystal Palace

Palace were unable to make home advantage count in the first leg and their away record doesn't inspire much confidence for this one with just one win on the road in all competitions since November 10. Of course, you can argue they don't actually have to win as they could progress on penalties after a draw but it might be clutching at straws. Crucially, 30-goal striker Glenn Murray won't play after injuring his cruciate ligaments on Friday.

Match Odds

All the known form suggests that Brighton should win this second leg and reach Wembley and, even allowing for the unpredictable nature of the playoffs and the rivalry between these two sides, at 1.98 that's a price well worth taking on the Seagulls.

Half Time/Full Time

Albion's class should show through over 90 minutes but it might take a while so if you prefer to look for slightly more value then draw/Brighton look good value in this market.

Recommended Bet

Back Brighton to win at 1.98

Other Bet

Back draw/Brighton in the half time/full time market at the best available price