Not many Palace fans would have had this fixture down as important as it has suddenly become which arrives during a terrible run of form.
An awful first forty-five minutes at the weekend put paid to any thoughts that the Eagles had of a comeback against West Bromwich Albion but it was a close run thing.
Meanwhile, Sunderland travelled to West Ham United and returned with nothing as they sit precariously in the bottom three of the Premier League with games fast running out.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Kwesi Appiah (knee), James McArthur (ankle) and Jason Puncheon (hamstring) all miss out.
Sunderland – Duncan Watmore (ankle) and Jeremain Lens (hamstring) are the only injury doubts for the Mackems.
Action Replay
The first game between the two sides back in November saw Sunderland return from South London with all three points for the second season in succession. A late goal from Jermaine Defoe after hesitation between Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey was enough to seal the win.
The meeting before that was at the Stadium of Light in April 2015 where Palace turned in an impressive display with a 4-1 win. Glenn Murray opened the scoring before it was the turn of Yannick Bolasie to score an eleven minute hat-trick before Connor Wickham scored a late consolation.
Form Guide
In the last six games between Palace and Sunderland it is all square with two wins each and two draws.
The last six games in the Premier League tells its own story as Sunderland have one win and two draws while the Eagles have managed just one draw.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Yohan Cabaye (7.27), Yann M’Vila (7.18), Yannick Bolasie (7.14), Patrick van Arnholt (7.10), Scott Dann (7.08)
One To Watch
Wahbi Khazri
The new signing only joined the club from Bordeaux in the January transfer window and has already made an impact at the Stadium of Light. The deal was undisclosed but the Tunisian international put pen to paper on a four year deal. Born in Ajaccio, France the attacking midfielder made appearances at youth level for both Tunisia and France but opted to play for Tunisia where he has over twenty full international caps. He made his name at Bastia where he made over 170 appearances scoring 31 goals before moving on to Bordeaux in 2014.
Predictions
Final league position – 18th
The battle at the bottom of the table promises to be as interesting at that at the top of the table this season with a handful of clubs under the threat of relegation. A couple of shrewd moves in the transfer has given the Black Cats a real fighting chance and it could well go down to the wire but it is difficult to see them escaping this time around even with the know-how of Sam Allardyce.
- TEB prediction – away win
- We Are Wearside prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 6/4
- Draw 9/4
- Away 19/10
Find our what the guys from We Are Wearside told TEB this week in The Sunderland View.
