The match of the 22nd round of the Premier League between Sunderland and Crystal Palace will take place on 17 january at Stadium of Light. Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Sunderland
Sunderland played away last round, where they were thrashed by Brentford (0:3). It was only the second heavy defeat since promotion to the Premier League. At the same time the club has not won in the league in five consecutive matches – four draws and one defeat. This is the longest winless run for the club in the current campaign. At the moment the team sits in 10th place in the standings, and the gap to the top four is not yet critical – 5 points. Also note that the club's matches are the lowest scoring in the Premier League – an average of 2.05 goals are scored.
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of the last 6 league matches.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 5 of Sunderland's previous 7 Premier League matches.
- At home the club has not lost in the current campaign – 5 wins and 5 draws.
Potential Sunderland Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Sunderland: Robin Rufs – Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Trey Hume – Lutsharel Geertruida, Granit Xhaka – Enzo Le Fée, Christopher Rigg, Simon Adingra – Brian Brobbey.
Forward Chemsdin Talbi remains at the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Habib Diarra is injured.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are on an even longer winless run — six matches in the Premier League. In that stretch the club drew twice and suffered four defeats. Crystal Palace drew 0:0 at home with Aston Villa in the last round. Interestingly, the club scored just one goal in its previous four Premier League matches. Due to these results the club dropped to 13th place and is two points behind Sunderland. Also matches involving the club are among the lowest scoring in the league – an average of 2.15 goals are scored.
- No more than two goals were scored in the club's last four Premier League matches.
- Crystal Palace failed to score more than one goal in six of their previous league matches.
- The visitors did not concede in the first half in 9 of their last 12 away Premier League games.
Potential Crystal Palace Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Crystal Palace: Dean Henderson – Jaidon Canwot, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi – Tyrick Mitchell, Justin Devenny, Will Hughes, Adam Wharton – Brennan Johnson, Jeremy Pino – Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Midfielders Daichi Kamada, Caleb Kropa and Cheick Doucouré, as well as defender Chadi Riad and forward Edward Nketiah will miss the match due to injury. Midfielder Ismaïla Sarr is away with his national team. The participation of midfielders Daniel Muñoz and Jefferson Lerma is doubtful. Note the transfer of defender Marc Guéhi to Manchester City.
Referee
Robert Jones (England)
Matches – 12 (the Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow/second Yellow Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow/second Yellow Cards per match – 3.6;
Straight Red Cards Shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 17%.
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: Match Prediction
The departure of several leading players to AFCON 2025 nevertheless affected Sunderland's results. The team has not won in five previous league matches, which led to the loss of several positions in the standings. At the same time the club still has high chances of finishing in a European qualification spot. We believe that the visitors will at least not lose this meeting, considering that practically all players have already returned from the Africa Cup and will noticeably strengthen the team.
Moreover, Sunderland are incredibly strong at home and have not suffered a single defeat there since promotion to the Premier League. Even the top three failed to win at Stadium of Light (draws). Crystal Palace are somewhat weaker and are experiencing problems with chance conversion, and it will be very difficult for them to break through Sunderland's defense.
Prediction: Sunderland Draw No Bet
* For each team the starting lineup shown is from their previous match in this competition.
