Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has suggested that their current form will strike fear into the Sunderland players ahead of Saturday's meeting between the two sides.

The Eagles have lost just three Premier League games in 2015 and are looking to move into the top half of the table this weekend, and Pardew believes that a confident squad are ready to pick up another win at the Stadium of Light.

"They'll be wary of us," the Palace boss told reporters. "We're going there in great form.

"It's as good as the top three or four clubs in the country and therefore we should receive the plaudits we deserve.

"The group is on a high and it's now about keeping our professionalism and keep on the process of what's been winning us games."

Sunderland ended a run of seven league games without a win by beating Newcastle United 1-0 last weekend.