Brighton & Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong: 'Crystal Palace clash is unique'

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Gaetan Bong has talked up the importance of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The Seagulls currently sit seven points clear of the relegation zone but defeat at Selhurst Park would leave Palace - who are in 17th - just one point adrift of Chris Hughton's team.

Bong has claimed that the league position of the two clubs means that this weekend's showdown is "unique" and has suggested that the winner of the match will not necessarily be who performs best.

The 29-year-old told the club's official website: "It is a big game for everybody. After last weekend we have to react because we need points. The job is not done yet and the table is tight. The fact that it's a derby as well makes it a massive game for all of us. Every derby has a different story, I've played in some big games but this is a unique one.

"These games can sometimes have a different mentality because it isn't always necessarily about who's playing the better football or who has the better team. It comes down to that one game and we just want to make the fans proud.

"Pressure and intensity comes with being in this league. This Saturday's derby game is a hard one and we'll need the supporters. We must be ready to fight but we also have to enjoy it as well."

Brighton head into the game having failed to win their last four fixtures in all competitions.