Sunderland vs Crystal Palace Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Looking to bounce back from their humiliating FA Cup exit, Crystal Palace head to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon for a Premier League showdown with Sunderland.

The reverse fixture at Selhurst Park four months ago ended in a goalless draw, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. Sunderland come into this weekend’s clash buoyed by their dramatic FA Cup third-round victory over Everton, advancing after a 3-0 penalty shootout win thanks to goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who saved three consecutive spot-kicks following a 1-1 stalemate after extra time.

Despite their cup heroics, Regis Le Bris’s side are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026, having failed to claim three points since their victory over rivals Newcastle United on December 14. Since then, Sunderland have recorded four straight draws against Brighton, Leeds, Manchester City, and Tottenham, before suffering a 3-0 defeat at Brentford in their most recent league outing.

Goals have been hard to come by for the Black Cats, who have failed to score in four of their last seven Premier League matches, after drawing a blank in just four of their opening 14 fixtures. Since the start of December, Sunderland have netted a league-low four goals.

Currently sitting 10th in the table, just three points behind fifth-placed Brentford, Sunderland will be eager to return to the Stadium of Light, where they remain unbeaten in all 10 Premier League home games this season. Only seven newly-promoted teams in English top-flight history have enjoyed a longer unbeaten home start to a campaign, most recently Ipswich Town in 1992-93 (11 games).

However, Sunderland are winless in their last five home league encounters with Crystal Palaceand have lost two of their last three meetings with the Eagles—more than in their previous 15 clashes.

In contrast, FA Cup holders Crystal Palace crashed out of the competition in the third round last weekend. Just eight months after lifting their first major trophy, the Eagles suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to sixth-tier Macclesfield, a team 117 places below them in the English football pyramid. Head coach Oliver Glasner admitted his side "lacked everything" and "deserved to lose," as Palace’s winless streak in all competitions stretched to nine matches. Their last victory came against Shelbourne in the Conference League on December 11.

Only relegation-threatened West Ham (one point) have collected fewer Premier League points than Crystal Palace (two) over the past six gameweeks. Away from home, the Eagles have lost their last two league matches, and they have not suffered three consecutive away defeats since February 2024 under Roy Hodgson.

Palace currently sit 13th in the table, two points behind Sunderland. They have failed to score in their last two Premier League games; not since Patrick Vieira’s final four league matches in February/March 2023 have they endured a longer top-flight goal drought.

Defensive vulnerabilities have also emerged for Palace, especially from set pieces. They have conceded 12 Premier League goals from dead-ball situations this season (excluding penalties)—with only Bournemouth (14), Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham (all 13) conceding more. Meanwhile, Sunderland have scored 38% (8/21) of their goals from set pieces, the second-highest proportion in the division.

Sunderland remain without Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi, who are still on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal and Morocco, respectively. Meanwhile, Arthur Masuaku (ankle), Bertrand Traore (knee), and Aji Alese (shoulder) are all sidelined due to injury.

Regis Le Bris received a boost last weekend with Noah Sadiki’s return from AFCON, and Reinildo Mandava is now also available, potentially starting at left-back ahead of Dennis Cirkin. Brian Brobbey, who was substituted against Everton as a precaution due to a hamstring concern, is reportedly “okay” and could retain his place up front ahead of Wilson Isidor.

For Crystal Palace, Ismaila Sarr remains away with Senegal at the AFCON final, while Daniel Munoz, Cheick Doucoure, and Chadi Riad (all knee), Eddie Nketiah and Daichi Kamada (both thigh), Nathaniel Clyne (groin), Rio Cardines (muscle), and Caleb Kporha (back) are all unavailable due to injury.

A late decision will be made on Jefferson Lerma, who missed the FA Cup defeat to Macclesfield after suffering a concussion. If Lerma is not fit, Adam Wharton and Will Hughes are likely to continue in central midfield.

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