Crystal Palace vs Brentford Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this London derby between Crystal Palace and Brentford. Both sides are neck and neck in the table on 13 points each, so we're in for a proper scrap at Selhurst Park.

Palace have been a bit of a mixed bag lately, haven't they? They had that brilliant 3-0 win at Liverpool in the League Cup - top drawer stuff - but then followed it up with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal and surprisingly got turned over 0-1 at home by AEK Larnaca. That 3-3 draw with Bournemouth at the Palace tells you everything you need to know about their defensive vulnerabilities - they can score but they're also a bit leaky at the back. Their home form's been shaky, with only one win in their last five on their own patch.

Brentford, on the other hand, are absolutely flying! They've been banging in goals for fun - 5-0 at Grimsby, 3-2 against Liverpool at home, 2-0 at West Ham. They're averaging 2 goals per game and look dangerous every time they go forward. Their away form's been decent too, winning 3 of their last 5 on the road and scoring 2.2 goals per game away from home.

When these two have met in the past, it's been tight as a drum. Out of 8 meetings, there's only been 1 win for Palace, 5 draws, and 2 for Brentford. But here's the stat that catches my eye - both teams have scored in 6 of those 8 meetings. That's a pattern I like.

The stats show Brentford are more clinical in front of goal - better shot accuracy and they're making their chances count. Palace might have more possession but they're not turning it into goals as effectively.

Both teams are coming into this off the back of midweek cup action, so fatigue could play a part, but Brentford have had an extra day's rest which might just give them the edge.

Key Points:

• Both teams level on 13 points in the Premier League table

• Palace's home form: only 1 win in last 5 at Selhurst Park

• Brentford scoring 2.2 goals per game away from home

• Both teams have scored in 6 of 8 previous meetings

• Palace conceding in 4 of their last 5 home matches

• Brentford averaging 2 goals per game overall this season

Given Palace's defensive issues at home and Brentford's attacking firepower, plus the history of both teams finding the net in their meetings, I'm backing both teams to score here. The stats and recent form all point towards goals at both ends in this London derby.