OPPOSITION VIEW: CRYSTAL PALACE

Ahead of Sunderland's trip to Selhurst Park we spoke to the lads from The Palace Way to discuss their start to the season, the Marc Guehi transfer saga and their hopes/predictions for this game and the rest of the season...

Firstly, 8th in the table with one win and two draws, how would you describe Palace's start to the season?

As good as we could hope for! Undefeated with some tough opposition, and a squad in limbo (15 fit senior players, Guehi + Eze, etc) for all of those games.

Who's been your best player in these opening weeks?

Marc Guehi by quite some margin, but Will Hughes has stood out as well. Both will be crucial in the absence of Adam Wharton as they will be the best passers in our starting XI.

What are your thoughts on manager Oliver Glasner?

The greatest manager in our club’s history.

For those of us on the outside, what was the situation regarding Glasner and Marc Guehi during the transfer window?

Steve Parish, our chairman, accepted a bid to sell Guehi to Liverpool without having signed a replacement. Glasner threatened to resign if Parish let the deal go through, as it would leave us woefully unprepared for a season in Europe - and have us lose our captain with two hours left in the window. Every Palace fan feels sorry for Guehi being caught up in this, but is also glad that he’s staying for this season. The fact that Parish was willing to sell a player that important without a replacement was negligent.

Were you glad to see Guehi's move to Liverpool collapse? Do you think he'll play against us?

Yes and yes. Marc is a professional and has a good relationship with Glasner on the whole. He’ll play and captain the side.

Who was the star signing in your transfer window?

Yeremy Pino as the de facto Eze replacement. He’s much more of a Glasner player, in that he’s rapid, clinical and direct. I’m also very very excited about Jaydee Canvot. I doubt the latter will play though!

Which Sunderland players have caught your eye so far in the Premier League?

Wilson Isidor. He is always ready to punish a mistake. Definitely worried about him!

What's your score prediction for the match? Goalscorers?

Home advantage and a deeper squad should see us through. 3-1 or 2-0 to Palace… and I have a feeling Mateta scores and Uche does too from the bench.

Finally, where do you reckon both sides will finish this season?

If Palace are smart in the January window and sign a forward early on, I can see us finishing in the top 10 - maybe as high as 7th. As for Sunderland… I think you have the best chance of staying up of all the newly promoted teams. 16th?