The Premier League heats up as Crystal Palace welcomes Sunderland to Selhurst Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025, for a 5:00 PM EAT kickoff. This highly anticipated clash marks the first meeting between the two sides since Sunderland’s 4-0 thrashing of Palace in February 2017.
Both teams have started the 2025/26 season with promise, sitting in the upper half of the table, making this encounter a pivotal moment to assert dominance.
With Crystal Palace’s attacking flair and Sunderland’s resilient counter-attacking style, fans can expect an electric atmosphere in South London.
Team form & recent performances
Crystal Palace, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, have shown flashes of brilliance in their opening three matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season, accumulating five points with a record of one win, two draws, and no losses.
Their standout performance came in a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on August 31, showcasing their ability to dominate possession and exploit defensive lapses.
Ksmaila Sarr, with two goals in three matches, has been a key figure, supported by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s clinical finishing. However, draws against Nottingham Forest (1-1) and Chelsea (0-0) highlight a potential weakness in converting chances against tightly organized defenses.
Palace’s involvement in the UEFA Conference League, with a 1-0 win and a 0-0 draw against Fredrikstad, adds depth to their squad but raises concerns about fatigue. Defensively, Palace have been solid, conceding just one goal in the league, with Dean Henderson’s two clean sheets and Marc Guéhi’s leadership at the back proving vital.
Sunderland, newly promoted after a strong Championship campaign, have adapted well to the Premier League, sitting fifth with six points from two wins and one loss. Their 2-1 victory over Brentford and a 3-0 rout of West Ham underline their attacking potency, with Wilson Isidor’s two goals and Enzo Le Fée’s creativity driving their offense.
However, a 2-0 loss to Burnley exposed vulnerabilities in their defense when facing high-pressing teams. Sunderland’s Carabao Cup draw against Huddersfield (1-1) suggests they can struggle to maintain intensity in midweek fixtures.
Despite this, their ability to grind out results, as seen in their Championship playoff success last season, makes them a dangerous opponent. The absence of Aji Alese due to a shoulder injury could weaken their backline, placing pressure on Omar Alderete to contain Palace’s dynamic forwards.
Head-to-head record
The historical rivalry between Crystal Palace and Sunderland is evenly matched, with both teams winning six of their last 15 encounters across all competitions, alongside three draws.
Their most recent Premier League clashes tell a tale of high-scoring affairs. Palace’s 4-1 victory at the Stadium of Light in April 2015 and a 3-2 win in September 2016 highlight their attacking prowess against Sunderland.
Conversely, Sunderland’s 4-0 demolition of Palace in February 2017 remains a painful memory for Eagles fans, showcasing the Black Cats’ ability to capitalize on defensive errors.
At Selhurst Park, Palace hold a slight edge, winning four of seven meetings, with Sunderland failing to secure a victory there since 2015.
Total goals in these 15 matches stand at 45, with Palace scoring 23 and Sunderland 22, suggesting a tendency for open, goal-filled games. This history points to a competitive fixture where defensive lapses could prove decisive.
Prediction & scoreline
This match pits two teams with attacking ambition but contrasting styles. Crystal Palace’s strength lies in their structured play and home advantage, where the Selhurst Park crowd can be a game-changer.
Their defensive solidity, led by Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix, should neutralize Sunderland’s counter-attacks, but they must be wary of Isidor’s pace.
Sunderland, meanwhile, will look to exploit transitions, with Granit Xhaka’s playmaking and Chris Talbi’s assists creating opportunities.
However, their defensive fragility without Alese could be exposed by Sarr and Mateta. Given Palace’s unbeaten start and home record against Sunderland, they are slight favorites. Expect a tightly contested match, but Palace’s depth and home form should edge them to victory.
Predicted Scoreline: Crystal Palace 2-1 Sunderland.
Betting tips
For bettors looking to capitalize on this match, consider betting on Both Teams to Score (BTTS) at odds around 1.80, given the historical trend of goals in this fixture and both teams’ attacking output this season.
Second, Crystal Palace to Win at odds of approximately 1.63 offers value, reflecting their strong home form and Sunderland’s defensive concerns.
For a higher-risk option, Over 2.5 Goals at odds near 1.96 is appealing, as 60% of their past five head-to-heads produced three or more goals.
Finally, for a player-specific bet, Ismaila Sarr to Score Anytime at around 2.50 is a solid choice, given his recent goal-scoring form.