Sunderland host Crystal Palace in a mid-table Premier League encounter.
Victory could lift Sunderland as high as sixth in the table if Manchester United, Chelsea and Fulham all fail to win elsewhere, whilst Palace can go ninth with a win if Fulham lose at Leeds.
Team News
Brian Brobbey is available for Sunderland after he recovered from a minor hamstring injury suffered in their FA Cup third-round victory at Everton, albeit via penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Reinildo is back in contention following his return from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bertrand Traore (knee), Arthur Masuaku (ankle), Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi (both international duty) and Aji Alese (shoulder) remain absent.
Palace will welcome forward, Jean-Philippe Mateta back after he sat out their shock FA Cup exit at Macclesfield, as he continues to manage his workload due to a foot injury.
Jefferson Lerma (concussion) is too set to return to the matchday squad, but Marc Guehi is ruled out as he nears a move to Manchester City.
Eddie Nketiah (muscle), Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Daniel Munoz (all knee), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Ismaila Sarr (international duty), Rio Cardines, Nathaniel Clyne (both adductor) and Caleb Kporha (back) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sunderland host Palace at Stadium of Light on Saturday 17 January at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sunderland have lost one of their last five meetings against Palace (W2, D2, L1).
- Palace have avoided defeat in their four previous Premier League visits to Sunderland (W2, D2).
- Both Sunderland and Palace scored in their last three meetings on Wearside, as the Black Cats netted five goals to Palace’s nine goals.
- Sunderland are yet to lose at home to London-based opposition this season (W2, D1).
- Palace have won three of their last five away trips (W3, L2).
Prediction
Having suffered a heavy defeat at Brentford in their last league outing which was understandable given their heavy schedule in recent weeks without some important players, Sunderland certainly bounced back with a strong display at Everton despite needing penalties after wasteful opportunities to win it in normal time.
Regis Le Bris though will be boosted by Reinildo’s return in defence here but they will need to be more clinical if want to get straight back in the mix with those above them.
Palace meanwhile are lucky to be only five points off fifth given their winless rut and what was more worrying was the lack of urgency and passion to defend their FA Cup title at Macclesfield, as they lacked the expected intensity and fight whereas their non-league hosts were more composed and clinical.
As nice as it would be to see Palace bring more passion and quality, I do wonder if Oliver Glasner’s exit announcement will dampen the second half of the season morale wise domestically, and the squad maybe focus more on trying to win the Conference League to qualify for Europe that way instead.
I however can see them snatching a draw at best if they can keep it tight defensively but I do think that Sunderland will have enough quality at home to nick this.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Crystal Palace
Result: Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace
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