:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47713425/palace_RR_away_banner.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4288311/oie_dybj2lk5saXf.0.png)
Once again, the international break has brought a halt to the season's proceedings. But for Big Sam it will surely be a blessing as he hurries to install the 'Big Sam infrastructure', with the new 'War Room' the latest feature to be added to the already fantastic Academy of Light.
As a stat man I'm very happy with the techniques Sam is bringing aboard at Sunderland. The devil is always in the detail and with a poor performing squad the guidance bestowed can only be a positive thing.
Conner Wickham will face his old club on Monday night after seeing most of his Crystal Palace career stalling at the gates due to injury. The half empty of our fan base will be worried he'll come back to haunt us. But as fans we've seen a lot of Connor over recent years and it's hard to see what he brings. He looks a power house but rarely imposed his strength on games. His decision making is appalling and his shooting even worse.
Only sod's law points to Wickham as the threat, the reality is it's the sheer pace of the wide man where the danger lies. Alan Pardew will have picked up on our main weakness this season - The fullback positions. This is the challenge Allardyce faces as he looks take something from the game and add points to the board.
Shoring up those areas giving the fullbacks adequate protection is clearly at the forefront of Big Sam's mind as he turned to the press to discus Jeremain Lens' work-rate. This could hand young Duncan Watmore consecutive starts for the first time in one of the wide births after showing more willing to pitch in defensively. The ever hard working Fabio Borini would be a sensible option for the other flank.
Match Appointments
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistants: P Kirkup & D Bryan
Fourth Official: G Scott
Team News
Conner Wickham is fit to face his old side. Marouane Chamakh should also return to the side. Dwight Gayle remains sidelined.
Lee Cattermole, John O'Shea and Adam Mathews are all fit for the Palace trip meaning Big Sam has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Head to Head
11 Apr 2015
Sunderland 1-4 Crystal Palace
03 Nov 2014
Crystal Palace 1-3 Sunderland
15 Mar 2014
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace
31 Aug 2013
Crystal Palace 3-1 Sunderland
30 Jan 2007
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace (Champ)
22 Dec 2006
Crystal Palace 1-0 Sunderland (Champ)
17 May 2004
Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace (Champ)
14 May 2004
Crystal Palace 3-2 Sunderland (Champ)
21 Apr 2004
Crystal Palace 3-0 Sunderland (Champ)
13 Sep 2003
Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace (Champ)
Form
Crystal Palace
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4288309/oie_transparent__1_.0.png){kind=spacer}
Sun 8th Nov
Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace
Sat 31st Oct
Crystal Palace 0-0 Man Utd
Sat 24th Oct
Leicester 1-0 Crystal Palace
Sat 17th Oct
Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham
Sat 3rd Oct
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom
Sun 27th Sep
Watford 0-1 Crystal Palace
Sunderland
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4288307/oie_qbBOlmn4Sv29.0.png)
Sat 7th Nov
Sunderland 0-1 Southampton
Sun 1st Nov
Everton 6-2 Sunderland
Sun 25th Oct
Sunderland 3-0 Newcastle
Sat 17th Oct
West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
Sat 3rd Oct
Sunderland 2-2 West Ham
Sat 26th Sep
Man Utd 3-0 Sunderland
Last Corresponding fixture
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4288299/oie_transparent__2_.0.png){kind=spacer}
OPTA Facts 'n' Stats
- Crystal Palace and Sunderland have met four times in the Premier League in the last two seasons and Palace have had a different manager on each occasion. After this game, both sides will have had four different managers over the five meetings.
- There has been a 90th minute goal scored in three of the four Premier League meetings between Palace and Sunderland.
- There has been a red card in both of the Premier League meetings between Palace and Sunderland at Selhurst Park.
- Steven Fletcher has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace.
- Nineteen points after twelve matches is Crystal Palace’s best start to a Premier League campaign.
- However, Palace have won only three of their last 10 Premier League outings at Selhurst Park (W3 D1 L6).
- Palace have scored the highest proportion of goals from set pieces in the top division this season (50%).
- Sunderland have only ever had fewer points after 12 matches in one of their previous 14 Premier League campaigns (five in 2005-06).
- The Black Cats have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games, drawing five and losing nine.
- Since winning this fixture last season, the Black Cats have played 20 away games in the Premier League winning just two (W2 D8 L10).
Selected Fan Tweets
Crystal Palace
Connor Wickham
— Laurence Hill (@LaurenceCPFC) November 21, 2015
What's the betting Connor Wickham nets his first Crystal Palace goal against Sunderland
— Mark Hudson (@MarkEagle9) November 20, 2015
Biggest question of the weekend is... How many hat tricks does Connor Wickham score on Monday night?
— Will (@Will_H86) November 20, 2015
Sunderland
Defo think Matthews deserves a shot like, he's played champions league against some good sides,thats #SAFC for ya https://t.co/jSrtoS6qGj
— Michael Airey (@airey87) November 18, 2015
If Lens workrate is the issue why not move him inside behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 #safc
— Parkersafc (@Parkersafc) November 21, 2015
@AliJBentz @ricgbrown @YoungSunEcho @ConnorWickham10 Readying myself for #SAFC to play like 11 George Weah's cousins and get something.
— LamBert (@LamBertsHymnal) November 21, 2015