Sunderland vs Crystal Palace Preview- Two struggling teams meet for momentum

Looking to put disappointing FA Cup exits behind them, Crystal Palace travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon to face Sunderland in a crucial Premier League encounter.

With both sides positioned in mid-table and separated by just two points, this fixture presents a valuable opportunity to regain momentum as the season enters a decisive phase. The reverse meeting at Selhurst Park in September ended in a goalless draw, and another closely contested affair could be on the cards.

Sunderland Overview

Sunderland arrive on the back of FA Cup progress, edging past Everton on penalties following a 1–1 draw after 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Robin Roefs was the hero, saving three consecutive spot-kicks to secure a 3–0 shootout victory.

However, league form remains a concern for Régis Le Bris’s side. The Black Cats are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026, having gone six league matches without victory. A heavy 3–0 defeat away at Brentford last time out highlighted ongoing attacking issues.

Goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks. Sunderland have failed to score in four of their last seven league matches and, since the start of December, have recorded the fewest goals and the lowest expected goals (xG) total in the division.

Despite those struggles, Sunderland remain formidable at home. They are unbeaten in all 10 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light this season, placing them among an exclusive group of newly promoted sides to achieve such a run. Only seven promoted teams in top-flight history have enjoyed a longer unbeaten home start.

That said, Crystal Palace have enjoyed relative success in this fixture. Sunderland are winless in their last five home league games against the Eagles, with Palace winning two of the last three meetings overall.

Crystal Palace Overview

Unlike their hosts, Crystal Palace suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit last weekend, losing 2–1 away to sixth-tier Macclesfield. Head coach Oliver Glasner admitted his side “lacked everything” and fully deserved defeat.

That loss extended Palace’s winless run in all competitions to nine matches, with their last victory coming in the Conference League against Shelbourne in December. In the Premier League, only West Ham United have collected fewer points over the last six gameweeks.

Away from home, Palace have lost their last two league fixtures and risk losing three consecutive away matches for the first time since February 2024. They are also goalless in their last two league games a run they have not exceeded since the final weeks of Patrick Vieira’s tenure.

Defensively, Palace remain vulnerable from set pieces, having conceded 12 league goals from dead-ball situations this season. That weakness could prove costly against Sunderland, who have scored 38% of their league goals from set pieces the second-highest ratio in the division.