Crystal Palace travel to Sunderland seeking first win in ten after Macclesfield embarrassment | OneFootball

Crystal Palace travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday with both sides searching for relief rather than momentum.

This fixture was once viewed as a meeting between two of the league’s most effective smaller sides, but recent form has dulled that narrative considerably.

Palace arrive in the North East carrying the weight of one of the most damaging results in the club’s modern history.

The FA Cup holders were eliminated at the first hurdle by non-league Macclesfield last weekend, a defeat that exposed how far standards have slipped since last season’s triumph.

Oliver Glasner was candid afterwards, admitting his side lacked intensity, quality and leadership throughout the contest.

That loss extended Palace’s winless run in all competitions to nine matches and further undermined confidence already weakened by a poor league sequence.

Only West Ham have collected fewer Premier League points over the last six rounds, with Palace taking just two from a possible 18.

Goals have also dried up, with the Eagles failing to score in their last two league matches and looking short of conviction in the final third.

Defensive issues remain just as concerning, particularly from set-pieces, where Palace have conceded at one of the highest rates in the division.

Sunderland, by contrast, continue to exceed expectations overall, though their form has also flattened out after a bright first half of the campaign.

The Black Cats remain without a league win in 2026 and have not taken maximum points since defeating Newcastle before Christmas.

Four successive draws were followed by a heavy defeat at Brentford, highlighting a growing lack of cutting edge.

Sunderland have scored fewer goals than any other Premier League side since the start of December and their attacking numbers reflect that downturn.

Their FA Cup victory over Everton may offer a timely psychological lift after goalkeeper Robin Roefs saved three penalties in a dramatic shootout.

That result also reinforced the sense that Sunderland are more resilient at home, where they remain unbeaten in the league this season.

The Stadium of Light has been a reliable base, particularly for a promoted side, and performances there have often masked wider attacking problems.

History offers little clarity, with Sunderland winless in their last five home league matches against Palace.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended scoreless and reflected two sides comfortable defensively but limited going forward.

This weekend’s meeting feels shaped more by vulnerability than ambition, with both managers prioritising stability.

For Palace, avoiding further damage is as important as climbing the table.

For Sunderland, home form provides hope, but improvement in front of goal is essential.

Neither side arrives convincing, which makes this contest as much about stopping the slide as restarting progress.