Crystal Palace welcome Sunderland to Selhurst Park on Saturday.
The Eagles have not played against the Black Cats since that harrowing 4-0 loss at Selhurst Park back in February 2017. All four goals came before the interval, by which point a fan had invaded the pitch to confront Damien Delaney.
There were much better memories of facing Sunderland during the 2003/04 campaign as victory over the Wearsiders led to an eventual promotion.
Hopefully, this coming Saturday will see a better result than the 2017 hammering for Crystal Palace – who Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has now commented on in his press conference.
Regis Le Bris compliments “well organised” Crystal Palace
The Frenchman has described Crystal Palace – who are set to sign Dan Casey from Arsenal – as an example for Sunderland to follow ahead of his first trip to Selhurst Park as a Premier League manager.
Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle: “We can expect a strong team, well organised with good players, well coached. Holders of FA Cup and Community Shield, which means a lot.
“Tough challenge, for sure. They are confident…it’s a consequence of a huge work before… a good example for us.”
Le Bris is new to the Premier League, but the 49-year-old has still managed to steer Sunderland to six points from three games so far this season, recording impressive wins over West Ham and Brentford.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  EvertonEverton | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 |  SunderlandSunderland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 9 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
Sunderland therefore sit just above Crystal Palace, who have five points from meetings against Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa so far this term in the Premier League.
Sunderland have a player Crystal Palace firmly admire in Chris Rigg
Dougie Freedman made a habit of signing players from the Championship before leaving his Director of Football role in March, and Chris Rigg is on the radar at Crystal Palace as a result of this recruitment policy.
The 18-year-old has only played one minute of Premier League football so far this season after Sunderland spent roughly £170m on new signings, pushing the teenager down the pecking order.
That is unlikely to help Crystal Palace lure the England U19 international to SE25 – however – as the Sunderland No.11 is still contracted to the Black Cats until June 2030.
