Brighton match could start defining week for Palace

The fixture list in December is always busy for every club.

Crystal Palace have started the month positively and picked up four points from their games against Ipswich - a first away win of the season - and Manchester City.

The Eagles travel to rivals Brighton on Sunday just four points above the relegation zone, despite losing just one of their past seven Premier League games.

Manager Oliver Glasner has said that midfielder Adam Wharton could be available for the trip to Amex Stadium - if he comes through training this week. That would be a huge boost to a squad starting to find its feet after a slow start.

After the Brighton game, Palace take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

It would be a big ask to expect the Eagles to win that game - but if they are able to get a result against Brighton and then beat what is currently an injury-hit Arsenal squad, their season could take on a totally different feeling in just a few days.