Sunderland
- Sunderland are 10th in the Premier League after 21 games having collected 30 points so far and there is little in their form to suggest either side will win this fixture.
- Régis Le Bris has clearly instilled a strong defensive culture and analytical, youthful perspective at Sunderland and his side have been playing a highly structured 4-2-3-1 system at the moment.
- When they set up in the mid-block, they are difficult to break down and when they win the ball, they use their athleticism to get in behind teams quickly.
- Wilson Isidor is Sunderland’s most prolific goalscorer in the Premier League this season with four in 19 games and he is the focal point for the transitions that Sunderland create from their defensive shape.
Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace are a bit further down the table in 13th, with 28 points from their opening 21 games.
- Oliver Glasner has brought a fresh energy and a high tempo pressing game to the Eagles, but it is taking time for them to adapt and find a way to win this season.
- They are winless in their last five games, with two draws and three defeats, including a 2-0 loss at Newcastle last week and a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the line and has scored eight goals in 21 Premier League matches and can be a focal point for Palace’s play.
Head-to-Head
Sunderland and Crystal Palace drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park in the last Premier League meeting 4 months ago .
Key Players
- Wilson Isidor is Sunderland’s most prolific goalscorer in the Premier League this season with four in 19 games and he is the focal point for the transitions that Sunderland create from their defensive shape.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the line and has scored eight goals in 21 Premier League matches and can be a focal point for Palace’s play.
Betting Insights
- The draw is priced at 3.1 in this matchup, but it’s hard to have a strong opinion on either of these sides given their poor form in the Premier League recently.
- Sunderland are unbeaten at home in the league, with five wins and five draws from 10 games, but both of their previous two home games have finished tied and they seem to be lacking a killer instinct right now.
- Palace have won five, drawn one and lost four of their 10 away matches in the league this term, so they are struggling for form on the road too.
- The Under 2.5 goals option at 1.65 is a value bet in this spot, as neither side will play to push the game open and, given the defensive systems of both clubs, we could have a tight, tense match with a stalemate the most likely outcome.
Prediction
The Under 2.5 goals market at 1.65 and a draw/stalemate outcome looks the most likely result given both teams’ recent form and tactical setups.
