Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Crystal Palace v Sunderland at Selhurst Park. We’ll have build-up and team news over the 45 minutes, followed by full text commentary.

O'Shea and Bolasie both go down after a nasty-looking clash in the air. They will be okay to continue, but that looked like it hurt!

There's little on for Bolasie so he has a pop from distance and forces Pantilimon to make his first meaningful save of the game.

Sunderland break again in numbers, but it all breaks down as Fletcher dallies in possession with Defoe calling for a foul off the ball.

Sunderland break again and Defoe cuts into the box and squirms a shot between two defenders, but the striker's effort squirts wide of the target. Sunderland may be struggling to keep hold of the ball, but they've created the better of the chances by a distance.

Cabaye's set-piece is comfortable dealt with by the Sunderland defence, but Palace come straight back at them and the Frenchman can't quite get the ball out of his feet to get a shot away on the edge of the box.

Van Aanholt is made to defend moments after his forward foray and gives away a free-kick in a dangerous area out on the Sunderland left.

Sunderland break in numbers and Jones fires a terrific through-ball into Van Aanholt in the box, who takes the shot on first time but fails to hit the target.

On the evidence of the opening minutes Sunderland aren't going to see much of the ball, but they are going to go direct when they do. Cattermole sprays a raking ball towards Defoe, but it is cut out by Dann.

Two lovely bits of skill, first from Zaha and then from Bolasie, delights the Selhurst faithful, but there's no end product and Sunderland clear their lines on both occasions.

The Sunderland defence deals comfortably with a Palace corner, but the hosts are starting to get a foothold in the game and look like they may be set to run things in midfield.

Sunderland work the ball to Defoe at the back post, who does well to cushion a header back into the mixer, but Fletcher's shot flies miles over the bar.

Sunderland get the game underway, kitted out in their frankly hideous green away kit. Palace are in their usual red and blue home strip.

The poor Crystal Palace cheerleaders look like they are regretting their career choices as they strut their stuff in outfits that are in no way suitable for the freezing conditions in south-east London. Out come the players, wrapped up much warmer... or at least the Palace players are. Sunderland are in short-sleeves, fronting up to the cold with typical Wearside bravery/recklessness.

We're just ten minutes from kick-off. The big chat in the build-up is how that Sunderland XI is going to line-up. The Palace boss reckons it'll be five at the back, but Sam Allardyce insists it's two banks of four (of course he does).

Here’s a reminder of those line-ups.

Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie; Wickham.

Sunderland: Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, Kaboul, O'Shea, van Aanholt; Cattermole, M'Vila, Larsson; Defoe, Fletcher.

The atmosphere may be impressive, but Selhurst Park has been anything but a fortress for Palace this season. In fact, were it not for their home form then Pardew’s side would be up in the mix at the top of the table. As it is, a win tonight would still send them up to sixth.

Big Sam Allardyce knew that he was taking on a tough job when he replaced Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light, but even he must have been surprised by the lack of spark that his new team are showing (the obligatory derby victory aside). Back-to-back defeats prior to the international break mean that confidence will hardly be brimming in the squad that have travelled down to south London.