Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | Premier League – (England) |
| League & Round | Premier League – Matchday 4 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, 13 September 2025, 15:00 – (BST) |
| Stadium | Selhurst Park |
Prediction
Crystal Palace 1 – 1 Sunderland
Recent Form
Crystal Palace enters this Matchday 4 fixture with cautious optimism after a mixed bag in their opening three games of the 2025/26 season. Oliver Glasner’s side started with a resilient 1-1 home draw against Leicester City on August 17, where Eberechi Eze’s creativity kept them competitive despite trailing early. This was followed by a narrow 0-1 defeat away to Aston Villa on August 24, exposing defensive lapses against Watkins’ pace, though they generated 1.2 xG from limited possession. Their form peaked with a emphatic 3-0 home victory over Bournemouth on August 31, dismantling the Cherries with set-piece dominance and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s brace, conceding zero shots on target. Averaging 1.3 goals scored and 0.7 conceded, Palace’s home record remains solid (unbeaten in last four at Selhurst), but away struggles and injuries to key midfielders like Cheick Doucouré have forced reliance on Adam Wharton’s emergence as well as that of Ismaïla Sarr, who already scored 2 Premier League goals for The Eagles. Glasner’s high-pressing has shown promise, but consistency in finishing will be key against a promoted Sunderland side.
Sunderland, freshly promoted under Régis Le Bris, has impressed with an unbeaten start, drawing 1-1 away at West Ham on August 17 before grinding out 0-0 home stalemates against Fulham on August 24 and Nottingham Forest on August 31. The Black Cats have prioritized defensive solidity, with Anthony Patterson’s saves pivotal in clean sheets against Forest and Fulham, while leaking just one goal overall. Offensively, they’ve averaged 0.7 goals, struggling to convert chances (xG 0.9 per game) without a clinical finisher like Ross Stewart (transferred out), relying on Jack Clarke’s wing play and Jobe Bellingham’s midfield runs. Away form is untested in the top flight this season, but their Championship-winning grit (unbeaten in last 10 pre-season) suggests resilience. Le Bris’ 4-2-3-1 has stifled bigger sides, but Palace’s attacking flair could test their backline—expect a tactical battle, with Sunderland’s organization potentially earning a point if they frustrate Eze early.
Crystal Palace Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Crystal Palace Vs Bournemouth (h) | 3 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 7 – 3 | 9 – 12 | 55% – 45% | 2 – 0 |
| Aston Villa Vs Crystal Palace (a) | 1 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 | 6 – 4 | 11 – 10 | 52% – 48% | 1 – 0 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Leicester (h) | 1 – 1 | 0 – 1 | 1 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 10 – 11 | 50% – 50% | 1 – 1 |
| Man Utd Vs Crystal Palace (a) | 2 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 8 – 3 | 12 – 9 | 60% – 40% | 1 – 1 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Everton (h) | 2 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 2 – 4 | 6 – 5 | 8 – 13 | 58% – 42% | 2 – 0 |
Crystal Palace’s last five Premier League matches under Glasner reflect a team transitioning toward attacking fluency while maintaining defensive resolve, with two wins, two draws, and one loss signaling mid-table potential. The recent 3-0 home rout of Bournemouth on August 31 showcased their set-piece prowess, with 55% possession, seven corners, and two assists (Eze pivotal) leading to a clean sheet, no reds, and just two yellows for a composed performance. This rebounded from a tight 0-1 away loss at Aston Villa on August 24, where 48% possession and four corners generated chances but faltered on conversion, holding firm until a late Watkins strike.
The season began with a 1-1 home draw against Leicester on August 17, balanced at 50% possession and five corners, earning a point via one assist each despite a Leicester red. From the previous season’s close, a 1-2 away defeat to Manchester United featured 40% ball control but three corners and fight amid four yellows, while the 2-0 home win over Everton highlighted 58% possession, six corners, and two assists, aided by an Everton red. Overall, Palace averages 1.4 goals scored and 0.8 conceded, with 51% possession and strong set-pieces (average 5.8 corners). Assists (7 total) flow from Eze and Olise (pre-transfer), yellows (12) indicate passion, but Doucouré’s absence strains midfield. Home strength (three unbeaten in last four at Selhurst) bodes well, though finishing efficiency must improve against promoted defenses.
Sunderland Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Sunderland Vs Nottm Forest (h) | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 4 – 5 | 11 – 10 | 48% – 52% | 0 – 0 |
| Sunderland Vs Fulham (h) | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 12 – 9 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| West Ham Vs Sunderland (a) | 1 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 1 | 7 – 2 | 10 – 12 | 60% – 40% | 1 – 1 |
| Sunderland Vs Leeds Utd (h) | 1 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 4 | 5 – 4 | 9 – 13 | 52% – 48% | 1 – 0 |
| Coventry Vs Sunderland (a) | 2 – 2 | 1 – 0 | 4 – 2 | 6 – 3 | 13 – 8 | 55% – 45% | 1 – 1 |
Sunderland’s last five league matches (mixing Premier League and late Championship fixtures) highlight a defensively astute side adapting to the top flight, with two wins, three draws, and no losses underscoring promotion-winning resilience under Le Bris. Their latest, a 0-0 home draw with Nottingham Forest on August 31, featured 48% possession and four corners, with Patterson’s saves securing a clean sheet despite three yellows and a Forest red. This mirrored a goalless stalemate at home to Fulham on August 24, holding 45% ball and three corners amid a Fulham red, emphasizing organization.
The Premier League debut ended 1-1 away at West Ham on August 17, with 40% possession but two corners and one assist (Clarke) for a gritty point. From the Championship promotion run, a 1-0 home win over Leeds featured 52% possession, five corners, and one assist for a shutout, while the 2-2 away draw at Coventry showed fight at 45% possession with three corners despite a Sunderland red. Overall, Sunderland averages 0.8 goals scored and 0.6 conceded, with 48% possession and compact defending (average 4 corners). Assists (3 total) rely on Clarke and Rigg, yellows (12) reflect tenacity, but lack of firepower (no prolific striker) hampers. With few injuries, their away draw at West Ham suggests they can frustrate Palace, though converting half-chances will be crucial.
Team News & Injuries
Crystal Palace Injuries & Suspensions
- Cheick Doucouré – Achilles injury (expected return October 2025)
- Chadi Riad – Knee injury (expected return late September 2025)
- Rob Holding – Groin strain (expected return mid-September 2025)
- Eddie Nketiah – Minor knock (doubtful)
- Jefferson Lerma – Suspension (available)
Sunderland Injuries & Suspensions
- Aji Alese – Hamstring injury (expected return early October 2025)
- Chris Rigg – Ankle injury (expected return mid-September 2025)
- Niall Huggins – Knee injury (long-term)
- Alan Browne – Muscle strain (doubtful)
- Pierre Ekwah – International fatigue (available)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Crystal Palace Vs Sunderland | 1 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 10 – 11 | 52% – 48% | 1 – 1 |
| Sunderland Vs Crystal Palace | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 3 – 2 | 4 – 6 | 12 – 9 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Sunderland | 2 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 7 – 3 | 9 – 13 | 58% – 42% | 2 – 0 |
| Sunderland Vs Crystal Palace | 1 – 2 | 1 – 0 | 4 – 1 | 3 – 5 | 11 – 10 | 40% – 60% | 1 – 1 |
| Crystal Palace Vs Sunderland | 3 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 6 – 2 | 8 – 12 | 60% – 40% | 1 – 1 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
The last five head-to-head meetings between Crystal Palace and Sunderland, spanning Sunderland’s previous top-flight stint and cup ties, show Palace with a slight edge: three wins, two draws, no losses, scoring 7 goals to Sunderland’s 3 for an average of 2.0 total goals per game. Palace dominates possession (average 55%) and set-pieces (29 corners to 14), as in their 3-1 home win on January 2022, where 60% ball control, six corners, and one assist overwhelmed a Sunderland side reduced post-red. Trends favor Palace at Selhurst, unbeaten in last three home H2H with clean sheets in two, though recent draws like the 1-1 in 2017 highlight Sunderland’s stubbornness, balancing 52% possession and five corners each.
Le Bris’ arrival brings fresh tactics, but Glasner’s pressing echoes Zaha-era intensity that frustrated Sunderland historically. Key moments include Eze’s free-kick in the 2-0 (seven corners) and a Sunderland red tilting the 1-2 away. Factors like Sunderland’s promotion boost (unbeaten in last five vs southern sides) and Palace’s injury-hit midfield may even the field, with xG trends (Palace 1.5 avg to 0.9) suggesting a low-scoring affair—Sunderland’s 0.4 average assists could be countered by Palace’s home crowd for a predicted stalemate.
Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Henderson (GK); Clyne (RB), Andersen (CB), Guehi (CB), Mitchell (LB); Wharton (DM), Hughes (DM); Eze (AM), Schlupp (LM), Olise (RM); Mateta (ST).
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Patterson (GK); Hume (RB), O’Nien (CB), Ballard (CB), Adebajo (LB); Neil (DM), Bellingham (DM); Clarke (RM), Ba (AM), Mather (LM); Hemir (ST).
