The players squeezed in side by side in the tunnel at Selhurst Park. No one is speaking to their opposition number.

There has already been a huge boost for both of these sides before kick-off courtesy of Chelsea's comeback from 2-0 down win at Southampton.

Southampton are 18th in the table but a win would have taken them ahead of Palace and put the Eagles into the bottom three.

The Brighton players were watching the action from St Mary's on the big screen at Selhurst Park before kick-off.

Image source, PA

Brighton may look comfortable up in 13th place but they could really do with a win. After today their remaining five games are all against sides in the top seven.

Their run-in reads Tottenham at home, Burnley away, Manchester United at home, Manchester City away and then Liverpool away on the final day.

A win today would put them seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Warnock
Ex-Liverpool defender on Final Score

The key question today is if Chris Hughton can come up with a plan today to stop Wilfried Zaha turning and attacking his defence. If they can keep him quiet, they may be able to get the three points that might just keep them up.

Having said that, Brighton's form away from home has been shocking but then so has Palace's at home. Today really is a coupon-buster.

Palace come into this one just a place above the relegation zone after a series of poor results. They twice let a lead slip at Bournemouth last week, conceding a 89th minute equaliser, and have only won once in 10.

Home form is often regarded as key to any relegation survival act but Palace have lost their last three at home and have only won once at Selhurst Park in their last seven.

That needs to change today.

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert on Football Focus

Crystal Palace are one of the stories of the season – they did look doomed before Roy Hodgson took over. From Palace’s point of view, this is a huge game, a derby game, but at the bottom of the table whoever gets the win it could be very significant.

Brighton have got some very difficult fixtures to come but like many other teams, they probably only need one win. Their supporters would like nothing more than to take that win today.

Andrew Gillies
BBC Radio 5 live at Selhurst Park

Image source, BBC Sport

A glorious sunny day at Selhurst Park for the latest episode of a rivalry that dates back to 1976 when Terry Venables and Alan Mullery were in charge of these clubs in the old third division.

Today Brighton can virtually ensure top flight football next season with a win but a similar result for the home side could drag them back into the relegation mix.

Crystal Palace make just one change from their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth for this crucial match against rivals Brighton.

Joel Ward comes into defence to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha start up front for Roy Hodgson's side but Alexander Sorloth and Christian Benteke are back on the bench after injury.

Crystal Palace XI: Hennessey (GK), Ward, Sakho, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Cabaye, McArthur, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Zaha.

Subs: Speroni (GK), Sørloth, Chung-yong, Benteke, Wan-Bissaka, Kelly, Riedewald.

Brighton also stick largely to the starting 11 that drew with Huddersfield in their last game.

Davy Propper is suspended and is replaced by Beram Kayal. Chris Hughton also hands Jurgen Locadia his second league start in place of Solly March.

Brighton XI: Ryan (GK), Bong, Dunk, Duffy, Schelotto, Stephens, Kayal, Gross, Murray, Izquierdo, Locadia.

Subs: Krul (GK), Bruno, Baldock, Knockaert, Ulloa, Goldson, March.

Here's the situation in the relegation battle (sorry West Brom fans). Brighton are a place above West Ham on 35 points.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello! For Crystal Palace and Brighton this one could hardly be bigger.

Palace start this game just a place above the relegation zone while Brighton may look comfortable up in 13th place but the gap is only seven points and their run-in is horrific to say the least.

Roy Hodgson's side could go 14th with a win while the Seagulls could stretch the gap to 10 points from the relegation zone with five games to play.

All that + the spice of the rivalry between the clubs = BIG.

There are just a handful of games left.

A whole host of teams could still be relegated, Crystal Palace and Brighton included.

There are three huge points on the line today....