Brighton vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups: Rutter pushes for derby start as Struijk faces check

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Our Brighton vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups retain Charalampos Kostoulas despite Georginio Rutter’s European double, while Lewis Dunk gets the nod with Pascal Struijk’s fitness uncertain.

Palace also have defensive decisions to make, with Axel Disasi suspended and several players awaiting clarity over their availability.

The teams meet at the Amex on Sunday 18 October, with kick-off at 2pm BST. Our Brighton vs Crystal Palace TV and live-stream guide has the viewing details.

Brighton team news: Struijk eligible but fitness uncertain

Struijk’s red card against Sunderland has been overturned, removing the suspension that would have kept him out of the derby.

However, that disciplinary decision does not settle his availability.

In Brighton’s official pre-match update, Fabian Hurzeler explained that the defender would have another day of recovery before being assessed.

Our prediction therefore selects Dunk alongside Luka Vuskovic, with Ferdi Kadioglu and Olivier Boscagli at full-back.

Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer and Kaoru Mitoma remain unavailable. Hurzeler reported no fresh injury concerns following Thursday’s victory over Kauno Zalgiris.

Rutter or Kostoulas for the derby?

Rutter’s two goals and assist in Brighton’s 4–0 European win have made the attacking selection more competitive.

His performance followed an assist from the bench at Sunderland, giving Hurzeler evidence that he can influence matches both as a starter and a substitute.

Our analysis of Rutter’s case for a Palace start examines that decision.

Kostoulas nevertheless remains our predicted choice. He has established himself in the league team and was an unused substitute on Thursday, giving him the benefit of a lighter midweek workload.

Yasin Ayari is selected behind him, with Diego Gomez and Maxim De Cuyper occupying the wider attacking positions. Pascal Gross and Chema Andres form our midfield pairing.

Crystal Palace team news: Disasi suspended

Disasi serves the final match of his three-game suspension, leaving Pierre Sage to adjust his defence.

Jefferson Lerma is our predicted replacement alongside Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot.

Dean Henderson, Ben Chilwell, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jean-Philippe Mateta remain selection uncertainties, as outlined in the latest Palace team-news assessment.

Our prediction keeps Walter Benitez in goal and Jorgen Strand Larsen up front, rather than assuming the returning players are ready to start.

Daichi Kamada gets the nod alongside Yeremy Pino behind the striker. Kamada scored after coming off the bench in Lyon, strengthening his claim following his goal against Nottingham Forest.

Our Kamada analysis looks at the combination play and penalty-area movement supporting that case.

Brighton vs Crystal Palace predicted lineups

Brighton predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Vuskovic, Boscagli; Andres, Gross; Gomez, Ayari, De Cuyper; Kostoulas.

Crystal Palace predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Benitez; Lerma, Richards, Canvot; Khalaili, Timber, Wharton, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Strand Larsen.

These are predicted selections. Struijk’s assessment and Palace’s fitness updates could alter the teams before Sunday’s kick-off.

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