The Momentum Preview and Predicted Lineups - Crystal Palace vs Sunderland

After the first international break of the young Premier League season, Sunderland return to top-flight action, away at Crystal Palace.

International Break Updates

Several Sunderland players represented their national teams over the past week. Granit Xhaka captained Switzerland to two dominant wins against Kosovo and Slovenia; meanwhile, Trai Hume captained Northern Ireland in their fixtures against Luxembourg and Germany. Omar Alderete started for Paraguay as they confirmed their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by drawing against Ecuador. Noah Sadiki represented DR Congo in a 4-1 win over South Sudan, with Arthur Masuaku absent due to suspension. However, both players were part of the subsequent 3-2 loss to Senegal.

Other Black Cats making senior international appearances during the break include: Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Reinildo Mandava, Bertrand Traore, and Simon Adingra. Also, Eliezer Mayenda and Chris Rigg made youth international appearances for Spain U21 and England U19, respectively.

Injury and Fitness Updates

Regis Le Bris hosted a press conference on Thursday, leading up to the weekend’s fixture, including plenty of injury updates. Playoff hero Dan Ballard won’t feature against Palace and is preparing to return for the Aston Villa fixture next weekend. Meanwhile, Romaine Mundle is looking to return around the next international break in October, recovering from a summer hamstring surgery.

The deadline day acquisitions of Brian Brobbey and Lutsharel Geertruida will look to feature against Palace, but likely off the bench, as Regis Le Bris confirmed the two Dutchmen are “probably not ready for 90 minutes right now”. However, Bertrand Traore seems less likely, with Le Bris unsure of his fitness after his international fixtures for Burkina Faso, having already been on international duty on deadline day.

Match Preview

Wilson Isidor’s fine form in front of goal this season should be rewarded with the starting place against Palace, with the incumbent striker Eliezer Mayenda shifted over to the right wing. I think Chemsdine Talbi needs to come off the bench and provide a spark against tired legs later on in matches, for now.

With the uncertain fitness of the deadline day signings, I predict Geertruida, Brobbey, and Traore will all feature from the bench on Saturday. However, I do envisage Geertruida and Brobbey being mostly permanent fixtures in the Starting XI once they find match fitness.

The Opponents

After losing Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise last season, and Eberechi Eze this season, Palace managing to hold onto club captain Marc Guéhi was critical for their season. Even with so many of their critical pieces moving on to pastures new, this well-drilled Oliver Glasner side remains a thoroughly tough task for any side in the Premier League, let alone newly promoted Sunderland.

New summer signing Yéremi Pino sticks out to me as a player to worry about from a Sunderland perspective; therefore, I expect a full-back to be tasked with shadowing him from the first whistle, depending on which side Oliver Glasner utilises him.

Crystal Palace are a side that likes to sit back out of possession, then strike on a quick counter-attack. In all of their Premier League fixtures so far, Palace have had less than 45% of possession, so Sunderland will have to be patient on the ball and craft out hard-worked chances, not usually our strong suit. However, Palace are potentially without two of their most creative options, with Ismaïla Sarr and Adam Wharton picking up knocks during the international break.

Result Prediction

This will be a tough match for Sunderland. Palace are a squad laced with Premier League pedigree, and with one of the hottest manager prospects on the planet. I see Palace winning this match 2-1; nonetheless, I hope to be proved wrong.