Two sides who have started the Premier League season strongly meet at Selhurst Park this weekend, as Crystal Palace look to remain unbeaten when they host newly-promoted Sunderland.
Match News and Current Form
Currently on the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League (W3, D6), Crystal Palace made it nine without defeat by beating Aston Villa 3-0 prior to the international break. That result ensured the Eagles remained unbeaten across their opening three matchdays of a top-flight season for the first time since 1992/93, with Palace once again harbouring European qualification ambitions under manager Oliver Glasner. Marc Guéhi’s collapsed deadline day transfer to Liverpool only served to boost those hopes, and having lost just one of their last 16 Premier League matches against newly-promoted sides (W10, D5), they could be in line for even more positivity here.
Such is Palace’s recent form, Sunderland make the long trip south touted as the underdogs for this fixture, but with two wins from three this campaign (L1), they’re already proving worthy competitors at this level following their recent promotion. They ground out a fantastic 2-1 win over Brentford to move themselves up to sixth going into the international break, and Régis Le Bris’ outfit stand on the brink of history here, as a victory would see them become just the third promoted side in Premier League history to win three of their opening four matches of a campaign.
Head-to-Head History
Crystal Palace have won just two of the last seven H2Hs (D2, L3), with all three defeats coming across the last three meetings they hosted.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Crystal Palace have taken the fewest corners of any Premier League side this season (four).
Crystal Palace have kept just two clean sheets across their last 15 home league games.
Sunderland have lost 12 of their last 14 away Premier League games (W2).
All five of Sunderland’s league goals this season have come in the second half.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
New Palace forward Christantus Uche was unbeaten across all five of his goalscoring appearances with former side Getafe (W4, D1), with four of those strikes arriving after the hour mark. Four of Brian Brobbey’s last five strikes have been match openers as he’s in line to make his Sunderland debut here.
Crystal Palace will be without injured duo Ismaïla Sarr and Adam Wharton, while Sunderland remain without last season's defensive stalwart Dan Ballard.
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Betting Analysis
These two sides look well-matched ahead of kick-off, making the draw and both teams to score market an appealing proposition.
Author: Nathan Evans