Crystal Palace lineup vs. Sunderland: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Crystal Palace will be without eight players for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Head coach Oliver Glasner revealed at his bombshell-filled press conference on Friday that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, while captain Marc Guehi will not be involved against the Black Cats as he is on the verge of completing a transfer to Manchester City.

Ismaila Sarr is still away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with finalists Senegal, while Daniel Munoz, Cheick Doucoure (both knee), Eddie Nketiah, Daichi Kamada (both thigh), Nathaniel Clyne (groin), Rio Cardines (muscle) and Caleb Kporha (back) are all sidelined with injuries.

However, Glasner has revealed that Jefferson Lerma is available to play against Sunderland after concussion protocols forced him to miss last weekend’s embarrassing 2-1 defeat to non-league Macclesfield in the FA Cup third round, while defender Chadi Riad will also feature in the matchday squad after recovering from a lengthy knee injury.

Glasner is expected to revert to his strongest possible starting lineup, with Dean Henderson in goal set to be protected by a back three of in-demand captain Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot, the latter of whom is expected to start in the absence of Guehi.

Justin Devenny could be called upon to begin at right wing-back as Tyrick Mitchell returns to start on the opposite flank, while Adam Wharton and Will Hughes are the most likely duo to link arms in centre-midfield.

Club-record January signing Brennan Johnson will be pushing to earn a recall in the final third and could play alongside Yeremy Pino in an advanced role behind central striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was rested against Macclesfield last time out and is another who has been linked with a January departure.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Johnson, Pino; Mateta

> Click here to see how Sunderland could line up for this contest