Crystal Palace take on Sunderland on Saturday in the Premier League, and HITC pundits give their predictions on the likely outcome.
Crystal Palace 2-0 Sunderland
The Sam Allardyce derby, Palace found form this week at just the right time. This is the definition of a six-pointer, and while Sunderland earned an encouraging draw with Tottenham on Tuesday, it might be a reality check for them at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace 2-0 Sunderland
The Sam Allardyce derby and true, bona fide relegation six pointer, both Palace and Sunderland picked up positive results in midweek and go into this clash with renewed belief. However, the Black Cats are never far from a collapse and Christian Benteke could batter their defence into submission.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Sunderland
That first win was huge for Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace, and he has been given the full backing of his board at Selhurst Park. Sunderland got a respectable draw against Tottenham but still seem to lack that spark. Expect a tight game with Palace’s extra quality proving the difference.
Crystal Palace 2-2 Sunderland
Sam Allardyce comes up against his former side and I can see this one being an entertaining score draw, with Sunderland refusing to lose against the Eagles. A point will not really be enough for either side but that could be what they have to make do with.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Sunderland
This will be a tight game. Sunderland defended for their lives against Tottenham on Tuesday night to win a point, but it is games like this that are more important to avoid defeat in. The problem for David Moyes was they offered little in attack with such a defensive approach, while Sam Allardyce got his first Palace victory and will be confident of getting one over his old team to start to put together a bit of a run.
Sunderland manager David Moyes speaks with John O’Shea and Jermain Defoe
Crystal Palace 3-0 Sunderland
Palace finally registered their first league win under Sam Allardyce last time out and with a couple of good additions in tow (including ex-Sunderland man Patrick van Aanholt) I suspect the Big Sam revolution will soon start to gather pace. The Mackems had an awful transfer window and I can’t see their situation improving from here.
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