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.
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.