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Le Bris can now unleash his very own Mateta by starting Sunderland’s “one man machine”- opinion

Sunderland have seemingly mastered the art of making their home ground a fortress.

Indeed, Regis Le Bris' Black Cats are two wins from two at the Stadium of Light already early into the brand new Premier League season, but the Wearside outfit has stumbled to an unwelcome 2-0 loss - away from home comforts - when travelling to fellow newly promoted foe Burnley.

Mateta-Palace-Premier-League

Crystal Palace is the next away test on the agenda for the top-flight newcomers, with Sunderland very much aware that they will have to stifle Jean-Philippe Mateta all match long if they stand a chance at a positive result on their travels to South London.

Mateta's heroics at Palace

While the Frenchman's future looks to be somewhat in the air at Selhurst Park at the moment - with Leeds United reported to be looking at the 6-foot-4 striker - he will no doubt be raring to go in his bid to pick up more Premier League goals for the Eagles when the Black Cats come to town.

After all, the forceful attacker already has three goals next to his name this season in all competitions, with this confidently tucked away penalty last time out against Aston Villa helping Oliver Glasner's men beat Unai Emery's hosts with ease in a 3-0 victory.

Up to a hefty 49 goals in total for Palace, it will be up to the likes of new signing Nordi Mukiele to keep the Eagles' goal machine quiet, with the imposing number 20 winning 12 duels last match against Brentford - on his debut no less - to restrict the visitors to just one strike.

Le Bris could also be tempted to switch up his personnel up top to try and unearth his own Mateta, with a goalscoring gem in the Frenchman's ranks ready to be a hero once more to try and steer Sunderland to a much-needed away win.

Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after the match

Sunderland can unleash their very own Mateta

The former Lorient boss certainly has a wide array of options all over the pitch to choose from ahead of selecting his starting XI for the trip to Glasner's side.

Indeed, he could well feel he needs to draft in Lutshurel Geertruida to try and keep Mateta at bay, alongside potentially feeling like Wilson Isidor is the best option in attack to try and gift his men a lofty, but skilful presence to lead the line, in a similar vein to the Palace number 14.

After all, despite not starting any of his team's opening three top-flight contests, Isidor already has an impressive two league goals next to his name, with the 6-foot-1 attacker firmly pushing his previous wasteful performances for Sunderland to one side by scoring these two strikes, despite only being on the pitch for a combined 66 minutes.

Mateta has also managed to move on past any of his own criticism by becoming a heroic figure for Palace, having once just scored a weak eight goals across his first three seasons on English shores when primarily used as a substitute option. Now, much like Isidor at the Stadium of Light, he's a beloved presence at Selhurst Park.

Isidor -Sunderland League Record

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Stats by Sofascore

Yet, the former Zenit St Petersburg forward will be hoping he can replicate Mateta's rise even more by becoming Sunderland's trusted starter in the Premier League - away from being known solely as a man who saves the day from off the bench - with Eliezer Mayenda often getting the starting nod this season over the efficient number 18.

If he were to start against Palace and steer Sunderland to a rare away victory, this would surely be grounds for more opportunities from the get-go from then on.

After all, his well-rounded game as an ice-cold finisher, matched with his ability to be a "one man machine", as labelled by Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley, could perhaps allow him to be a recognised Premier League star down the line, like the equally varied Mateta.

With Brian Brobbey also now available for selection, Le Bris is spoiled for choice.

Wilson-Isidor

But, he will hope he's rewarded for gifting Isidor a possible start by his side picking up an away win for the first time this season, as they continue to try to navigate the early choppy waters of the Premier League without drowning under all the pressure.

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