Crystal Palace meet Sunderland in a top-half clash in the 2025-26 Premier League.
Victory could see Palace go second and leapfrog Sunderland in the process if results elsewhere swing in their favour.
Sunderland likewise can go second with a win but a winning margin of three goals or more could put them top if Arsenal and Everton fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Ismaila Sarr is ruled out for Palace after he suffered a hamstring injury during their 3-0 win at Aston Villa.
Adam Wharton is also sidelined after he suffered an adductor injury during that game, which forced him to withdraw from the England squad.
Caleb Kporha (back), Chadi Riad (ACL), Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) also miss out.
Jaydee Canvot could make his club debut in this fixture following his deadline day move from Toulouse.
Sunderland could welcome Niall Huggins back after he missed the home win over Brentford with a groin injury.
Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore and loan signing, Lutsharel Geertruida could make their club debuts.
Dan Ballard (groin), Aji Alese, Luke O’Nien (both shoulder), Leo Hjelde (Achilles), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Dennis Cirkin (wrist) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Saturday 13 September at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace have avoided defeat in five of eight previous Premier League meetings against Sunderland (W3, D2, L3).
- Sunderland have won three of their four previous Premier League trips to Palace (W3, L1).
- Palace have conceded five goals in their last two home games against Sunderland without reply (L2).
- Palace have conceded just one goal in their opening three league matches (W1, D2).
- Wilson Isidor’s two league goals for Sunderland this season were scored in second-half injury time (W2).
Prediction
Having grinded out draws in their two opening league matches, Palace certainly turned on the charm in a clinically ruthless win at Villa where they made the most of their sporadic periods of dominance amidst excellent defensive work.
Sarr and Wharton however will both be huge losses in this game such is their impact and presence on the pitch, but it could be much worse if Marc Guehi had completed his move to Liverpool, such the lynchpin that he is in their defence and starting team as a whole.
Sunderland meanwhile are continuing to evolve nicely under Regis Le Bris amidst several incomings before the transfer window closed, but they definitely have a never-say-die attitude which was evident in their late comeback in an exciting battle against Brentford.
Le Bris’ Black Cats now need to bring that attitude and confidence to Selhurst Park where they will be underdogs despite their recent top-flight form in this away fixture, but Sarr and Wharton’s absences will make Palace more beatable especially without Eberechi Eze to conjure up magic.
Whilst this really could go either way on the day, I do think that we might see a closely-fought draw played out.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Sunderland
Result: Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland