The Premier League matchday 22 fixture between Sunderland and Crystal Palace will take place on 17 January at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Sunderland
Regis Le Bris's side were on the road last time out, where they were thrashed by Brentford (0:3). It was only their second heavy defeat since being promoted to the Premier League. However, the club have now gone five straight league matches without a win – four draws and one defeat. That is Sunderland's longest winless run of the current campaign. As things stand, the team sit 10th in the standings, and the gap to the top four is not yet critical – five points. It is also worth noting that the club's matches have been the lowest-scoring in the Premier League, with an average of 2.05 goals per game.
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of the team’s last 6 league games.
- At least one of the two sides failed to score in 5 of Sunderland’s previous 7 Premier League matches.
- The club are still unbeaten at home this season – 5 wins and 5 draws.
Potential Sunderland Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Robin Roefs – Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume – Lutsharel Geertruida, Granit Xhaka – Enzo Le Fee, Christopher Rigg, Simon Adingra – Brian Brobbey.
Forward Chemsdine Talbi remains away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Midfielder Habib Diarra is injured.
Crystal Palace
The London club's winless run is even longer – six Premier League matches. Over that spell, they have drawn twice and lost four times. Oliver Glasner's side played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa (0:0) at home last time out. Interestingly, across their previous four Premier League games, Crystal Palace have scored just once. Those numbers have seen the club drop to 13th place, two points behind Sunderland. Matches involving the Londoners are also among the lowest-scoring in the league, with an average of 2.15 goals per game.
- No more than two goals were scored in the club’s last four Premier League matches.
- Crystal Palace have not scored more than one goal in six previous league games.
- The Londoners have not conceded in the first half in 9 of their last 12 away Premier League matches.
Potential Crystal Palace Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Dean Henderson – Jaidi Kanvot, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi – Tyrick Mitchell, Justin Devenny, Will Hughes, Adam Wharton – Brennan Johnson, Yeremi Pino – Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Midfielders Daichi Kamada, Caleb Kropa and Cheick Doucoure will miss the match through injury, as will defender Chadi Riad and forward Edward Nketiah. Midfielder Ismaila Sarr is away with his national team. The participation of midfielders Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma is in doubt. We should also note the transfer of defender Marc Guehi to Manchester City.
Referee
Robert Jones (England)
Matches – 12 (the Premier League, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 43;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match on average – 20;
Penalties – 17%.
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace: Match Prediction
The departure of several key players for AFCON 2025 has clearly affected Sunderland's results. The team have not won any of their last five league matches, which has cost them a number of places in the standings. At the same time, the team still have a strong chance of finishing in the European places. We believe Regis Le Bris's side will at least avoid defeat in this fixture, given that almost all players have already returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and will noticeably strengthen the squad.
Moreover, Sunderland are incredibly strong at home and have yet to lose a single match since being promoted to the Premier League. Even the top three were unable to win at the Stadium of Light (draws). Crystal Palace are still the weaker side and, on top of that, are struggling with their finishing, and breaking down Sunderland's defence is likely to be very difficult.
Prediction: Sunderland Draw No Bet
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match in this tournament.
