Crystal Palace vs Sunderland Match Preview

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM BST Venue: Selhurst Park, London Competition: Premier League

This weekend, football returns to Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace hosts newly-promoted Sunderland in a highly anticipated Premier League clash. The Eagles will be looking to build on their impressive start to the season, while the Black Cats aim to continue their surprising form in the top flight.

Team Form and Recent Performance

Crystal Palace Crystal Palace has enjoyed a promising start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign under manager Oliver Glasner. The team has secured a win and two draws in their opening three league matches, with their most recent result being a dominant 3-0 victory over Aston Villa. This strong run of form has seen them climb to eighth in the Premier League table. The Eagles have been particularly solid defensively, having conceded only one goal, while their attack has shown flashes of brilliance, scoring four goals in three games. They are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, showcasing both resilience and a growing tactical understanding.

Sunderland Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been met with a blend of grit and impressive results. The Black Cats sit fifth in the table, having won two and lost one of their first three games. Their attacking prowess has been a notable feature, with 5 goals scored. They are coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Brentford and will be confident heading into this fixture. Despite their positive start, their defensive record of 3 goals conceded highlights potential vulnerabilities that Crystal Palace’s attack may exploit.

Team News, Injuries & Key Players

Crystal Palace Team News: Manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that the match comes too soon for injured trio Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr, and Eddie Nketiah. However, new signing Yeremy Pino, who made his debut off the bench in the win over Aston Villa, has a good chance of making his starting debut. This is a significant boost to their attacking options. The team will rely heavily on their in-form players to compensate for the absentees.

Key Players for Crystal Palace:

• Jean-Philippe Mateta: The forward has been in excellent form and is a constant threat with his physicality and goal-scoring instincts.
• Marc Guéhi: A pillar in the heart of the defence, Guéhi’s leadership and calm presence will be crucial in shutting down Sunderland’s attack.
• Yeremy Pino: The new signing could be a game-changer with his pace and creativity from the wing if he is given a starting role.

Sunderland Team News: Sunderland’s injury list includes several key players, such as Dennis Cirkin (broken thumb), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), and Luke O’Nien (shoulder). Their long list of injuries will force the manager to adapt and give opportunities to squad players.

Key Players for Sunderland:

• Daniel Ballard: The centre-back’s form will be vital in containing the likes of Mateta. His defensive organization and tackling ability will be put to the test.
• Anthony Patterson: The goalkeeper has been a standout performer, and his shot-stopping will be critical if Sunderland is to take anything from this game.
• Abdullah Ba: Known for his pace and direct running, Ba will be tasked with providing creativity and stretching the Palace defence.

Head-to-Head Record

The historical record between these two clubs is closely contested, with little to separate them across 48 total meetings. Crystal Palace has a slight edge with 17 wins compared to Sunderland’s 16, with 15 matches ending in a draw. In their most recent Premier League encounters, both teams have had a share of victories, with Sunderland notably winning 4-0 at Selhurst Park in February 2017. Their last match was a thrilling 3-2 victory for Crystal Palace in September 2016.

Tactical Analysis

This match is set to be a clash of styles. Crystal Palace, under Glasner, has a well-drilled and tactically sound defensive setup that is difficult to break down. They are efficient on the counter-attack and will look to exploit any space left by Sunderland. The return of Yeremy Pino could add a new dimension to their attack.

Sunderland’s success has been built on a high-energy, high-pressing approach. They will likely try to disrupt Palace’s rhythm in the midfield and force turnovers in dangerous areas. Their challenge will be maintaining defensive discipline against a team that is clinical with its chances. The battle in midfield, particularly between Palace’s Jefferson Lerma and Sunderland’s midfield engine, will be a deciding factor.

Correct Score Prediction

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2 – 1 Sunderland

This is expected to be a tight and competitive affair. While Sunderland’s attacking form is impressive, Crystal Palace’s home advantage and defensive solidity should give them the edge. Their recent win against Aston Villa demonstrates their ability to control a game and find a breakthrough. The Eagles’ well-organized defence should be able to contain Sunderland’s forwards, and the attacking quality of Mateta and the potential debut of Pino will likely be the difference-makers. Sunderland will undoubtedly score, but Palace’s overall balance and home form should see them secure all three points in a narrow victory.

Keywords

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