Sunderland take on Crystal Palace in mid-table scrap.
Sunderland vs. Crystal Palace at 15:00 [GMT] on Saturday, January 17, at the Stadium of Light.
Tenth-placed Sunderland [DDDDL] welcome Crystal Palace to the Stadium of Light in a Premier League encounter that brings together a formidable home record and a visiting side searching urgently for momentum. While Sunderland’s overall form has dipped in recent weeks, their performances on home soil have remained a defining strength, setting up an intriguing contrast against a Palace team struggling for consistency. The Black Cats are still unbeaten in their 10 Premier League home games this season, recording five wins and five draws. That record places them among an exclusive group of newly promoted sides in top-flight history, with only seven ever enjoying a longer unbeaten home start. However, Crystal Palace have proven awkward opponents in this fixture. Sunderland are winless in their last five home league matches against the Eagles, losing two of the last three. Set pieces could be a decisive factor. Sunderland have been particularly effective in dead-ball situations, with 38% of their league goals coming from set plays, one of the highest proportions in the league. That strength directly targets a Palace weakness, as the visitors have conceded 12 goals from set pieces this season, among the worst records in the division. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Brian Brobbey in attack may be seen against Palace.
Interestingly, recent Premier League meetings between these sides have favoured the away team, with the visitors unbeaten in the last eight encounters. This trend adds an extra layer of unpredictability, especially given Sunderland’s current struggles in front of goal. However, Crystal Palace [LLDLD], who are three places below the Black Cats, arrive in similarly worrying form, having claimed only 28 points. Over the last six Premier League matchdays, only West Ham have collected fewer points. The Eagles are winless in their last four league matches and have lost their last two away games, putting them at risk of three consecutive road defeats for the first time since early 2024. Their attacking output has also dried up, with Palace failing to score in their last two league games, a run they have not exceeded since Patrick Vieira’s final weeks in charge. At the other end, this fixture could also be shaped by goalkeeping excellence. Sunderland’s Robin Roefs and Palace’s Dean Henderson both rank among the top goalkeepers in the Premier League for goals prevented, suggesting clear chances may be at a premium. Mateta is expected to lead Palace’s attack when Oliver Glasner appears with the familiar 3—4—2—1 formation.