Hurzeler would not swap Brighton's 'outstanding' Welbeck for any player in the world

Fabian Hurzeler insisted that he would not swap Brighton forward Danny Welbeck for "any player in the world" after a blistering start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Welbeck opened the scoring in Brighton's 3-0 win over Leeds United in their last league encounter, taking his tally to six goals, a total only bettered by Erling Haaland (13).

The 34-year-old's recent form had him mooted for a return to the England set-up for their final World Cup qualifiers this month, but Thomas Tuchel opted against his selection.

And despite missing out on a first Three Lions recall since 2018, Hurzeler was quick to laud the veteran forward for his goal-scoring exploits in the early part of the season.

"I wouldn't swap him for any player in the world. He is a great leader on the pitch and a great role model, so we are very blessed that he is here," Hurzeler said.

"He is in outstanding condition, so no, I wouldn't change him."

Brighton are preparing for a trip to Selhurst Park to take on rivals Crystal Palace, with just a point and a place separating the two teams in the Premier League table.

"I understood from the first second. We have to promise the supporters we will try to do everything to win it," Hurzeler said on the importance of the derby.

"At the end of the day, you cannot promise wins, but you can promise to leave your heart on the pitch. It's going to be really important to be in the right place mentally.

"If you're too emotional, you can't make the right decisions. If you're not emotional enough, you won't be committing to duels. We need to find the right balance."

Palace, meanwhile, were involved in midweek action as they downed Dutch side AZ 3-1 in the Conference League for their second triumph in the competition.

The in-form Ismaila Sarr scored twice for Oliver Glasner's side, who are competing in four competitions this season, having also progressed to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

The Eagles are ninth in the Premier League, two points adrift of the top four, while their FA Cup title defence begins in the new year.

While fatigue is yet to set in, with Palace expected to play four games in eight days over the next month, Glasner was relishing the prospect of competing on all fronts this year.

"This group is so ambitious, and they want to try, and they go again because they want the trophy. They work really hard in every single game and training," Glasner said.

"They are so professional and that is why we are such a tight squad with our players available. We have to keep the momentum going.

"If something is important for our fans, it is automatically important for me because we play for them.

"We will always try and play our best, we can’t guarantee a win, but we will always play until the final whistle."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta

Nine of Jean-Philippe Mateta's last 10 Premier League goals have been scored in London, with the Frenchman netting four in his last two at Selhurst Park.

He has six goals in 10 games this season, with only Andrew Johnson in 2004-05 (seven) ever scoring more in Palace's opening 10 matches of a Premier League season.

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

In the last two seasons, the only Englishman to outscore Welbeck (16) in the Premier League is Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (17).

The Brighton striker has netted six goals in his last five appearances – only Manchester City’s Haaland has more (seven) in this timeframe (27 September onwards).

MATCH PREDICTION: CRYSTAL PALACE WIN

Palace won both Premier League meetings with Brighton last season, as many times as they had beaten the Seagulls in their previous 12 (D6 L4).

Glasner's team also have 16 points in 10 Premier League matches this season (W4 D4 L2), an improvement of nine points on last season's tally at this stage (seven). It's their most at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1991-92 (17).

The Eagles have not lost any of their last 11 Premier League matches at Selhurst Park (W6 D5), the longest ongoing home unbeaten run in the division. Only between February and December 1990 have they had a longer run without losing at home in the top-flight (17 games).

Brighton, meanwhile, are winless in six Premier League away games against Palace (D5 L1). They lost this exact fixture 2-1 last season but have not lost to the Eagles in consecutive campaigns since 1985-86 and 1986-87.

But after a 13-game winless Premier League run away from home against London teams between December 2023 and April 2025, Brighton have won their last two in the capital. Only once before have they won three in a row in the competition, doing so between April and August 2022.

And this game is expected to offer goalmouth action. Both teams have scored in all eight Premier League meetings between Palace and Brighton at Selhurst Park – only Wolves at home to Newcastle United (10) has been played more without either side keeping a clean sheet in the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Crystal Palace – 50%

Draw – 25.2%

Brighton – 24.8%