Crystal Palace go dey look to protect dem unbeaten run for 2025-26 Premier League as dem host newly-promoted Sunderland for Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. This go be the first time both teams go jam since February 2017, when Sunderland knack Palace 4-0 away for Premier League.
Match Preview
Palace enter international break with ginger, after dem qualify for Conference League group stage with 1-0 aggregate win over Fredrikstad, before dem knack Aston Villa 3-0 for Premier League. Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr all score for the sweet win.
Rumour dey fly say coach Oliver Glasner fit waka because of tension with board after summer transfer drama, but Palace fans go dey hope say him go stay.
The Eagles dey currently enjoy nine-game unbeaten run (W3 D6), the longest for Premier League. Dem never lose any of their last 11 home games and dey always perform well against newly-promoted teams.
Sunderland, wey many people tip for relegation, don surprise everybody with solid start – two wins from three. Dem beat West Ham 3-0, Brentford 2-1, only Burnley don beat dem.
Right now, Black Cats dey top six for table and dem fit become the third newly-promoted team for history wey go win three of their first four PL games. But history show say Sunderland dey struggle away for Premier League August/September since 2009.
Crystal Palace Premier League Form
- D
- D
- W
Crystal Palace Form (All Competitions)
- W
- D
- W
- D
- D
- W
Sunderland Premier League Form
- W
- L
- W
Sunderland Form (All Competitions)
- W
- L
- L
- W
Team News
Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr dey out with hamstring injury wey he pick for Senegal duty. Adam Wharton also miss out with thigh problem.
Other injured names include Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Eddie Nketiah and Caleb Kporha. New summer signings Yermy Pino, Christantus Uche and Jaydee Canvot dey in contention – Pino likely go start for Sarr place.
Jefferson Lerma fit replace Wharton for midfield, while Will Hughes dey chase record as fifth player wey go collect yellow card for first four PL games of the season.
Sunderland: Daniel Ballard dey close to return but this weekend too early. Other players still for injury table: Romaine Mundle, Aji Alese, Luke O’Nien, Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin.
New signings Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore and Lutsharel Geertruida all fit debut, with Geertruida likely to start for right-back. Wilson Isidor dey push for starting spot after two goals off bench, while Simon Adingra dey target wing start.
Possible Lineups
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Mateta
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra
Prediction
Sunderland don show say dem no be small boys for this league, but Palace dey very strong for home. Even though dem go miss Sarr and Wharton, Glasner team still get enough firepower to carry the day.
We say: Crystal Palace 2-0 Sunderland
