- Both sides have scored only a single goal in their first two fixtures
- Sunderlandโs Steven Fletcher could make his 2013-14 debut after recovering from ankle ligament damage
- Despite both teams playing in the Premier League for numerous seasons, this will be the first meeting of the pair in this competition
Sunderland head to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday (12:30 pm ET on NBC, watch online via NBC Sports Live Extra) as two sides struggling to score goals look to secure their first victory of the season.
Palace return home to South London after suffering their second loss in as many games after Stoke City scored twice in the second half to off-set Marouane Chamakhโs 31st minute opener. The Eagles looked as if they might be on their way to three points before two defensive break-downs in a matter of four minutes saw Charlie Adam and Ryan Shawcross beat Julian Speroni to his right post to hand the Potters their first win of the season.
Sunderland earned their first point of the season last week in a 1-1 draw at Southampton. The Black Cats came away from St. Maryโs Stadium feeling lucky after managing to hang on despite the Saints having 17 attempts on goal and dominating possession (66%/34%). Paulo Di Canioโs men found themselves with an early lead when Italian international Emanuele Giaccherini (pictured) found himself unmarked in the box to nod home Seb Larssonโs corner kick. Two minutes from time the Saintsโ pressure paid off as Jose Fonte headed in James Ward-Prowseโs shaped set piece to share the spoils.
Saturdayโs encounter will be the first time Palace and Sunderland meet in the Premier League. The last time the two sides met in a top-flight encounter was a March 1991 fixture that Sunderland won 2-1. The Black Cats and Eagles have faced off on 10ย occasions since, with Sunderland winning five of them.
Sunderland remain a side still very much searching for their identity. Bringing in 11 new players from seven different countries presents stylistic issues as well as communicative ones. Few doubt that Di Canio has recruited solid talent inย Giaccherini, Jozy Altidore, Cabral and Valentin Roberge but until the group develops a cohesive understanding of their qualities and adopts a style of play to compliment those traits, points may be hard to come by โ even when facing inferior opposition. The return of striker Steven Fletcher, who has been out since last March with ankle ligament damage, could be just the thing to set things straight.
For Holloway, the issue comes down to a lack of talent. Itโs something that the Palace boss bemoaned before the season, after the squadโs opening day loss to Spurs and following last weekโs defeat at Stoke City. The clubโsย lack of resources and transfer market power appear to be whatโs limiting Palace and with no buzz percolating at the moment, it doesnโt seem to be something thatโs going to change before the window closes on September 2nd.
Thatโs not to say Hollowayโs squad is completely absent of talent. Chamakh proved last week that heโs still up for scoring goals, Dwight Gayle is a forward with pace, desire and the ability to change games while the holding midfield combination of Mile Jedinak and Kagisho Dikgacoi has made life quite difficult on opposing players.
See which club might break into the win column thisย Saturday, at 12:30 am ET live on NBC and online viaย NBC Sports Live Extra.
What theyโre saying
Palace manager Ian Holloway: โThe team hasnโt played together before especially with players like Florian Marange coming in. Itโs just important we stick together and work hard as a team. . . .ย Weโre full of optimism and hope, but weโve got to get some players over the line before Monday.โ
Sunderland manager Paulo Di Canio: [On the return of striker Steven Fletcher] โSteven will join the rest of his team-mates on the trip and then I will decide if I will play him, but he will be with the group. . . .ย He is an important player and joined us in full training just 10 days ago. For 25 days we were abroad during the pre-season and he couldnโt go, so itโs obvious he needs to practice.ย With the fitness level and the belief he has he can stay with the group and maybe have a part in the game.โ
Sunderland defender John OโShea: โItโs going to be difficult; weโre fully aware that theyโve just come up from the Championship but theyโve played quite well in their two league games so far even though theyโve not got anything from them. . . .ย Theyโve got a manager who wants to play football the right way.ย We saw [in the game] against against Stoke at some stages that they can mix it and go forward quickly, but they can also pass it through midfield.ย Thereโs lots to look forward to but lots to be wary of as well.โ
Prediction
If this match were being played at the Stadium of Light thereโs no question Sunderland would be taking all three points. But fans saw how difficult it was for Spurs to play in Selhurst Park in opening week and we shouldnโt be surprised if a similar atmosphere presents itself this time around. Sunderland are good enough to overcome the crowd and win this match but Palace have the ability to nip a point here, and I think they get it.
Follow @mprindi
