Plenty of colour and noise - as usual - at Selhurst Park. The ever-vocal Holmesdale Fanatics, that wonderfully-rowdy bunch behind one of the goals, are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their formation.

Eagles boss Alan Pardew jogged over to applaud them ahead of kick-off and his team are trying to give them some early cheer as they attack that end. A half-hearted penalty shout for a Saints handball, but no clearcut chances. Yet.

I'm not sure the Sunderland players appreciated the pre-kick-off Watford huddle, which lasted a bit longer than usual, leaving the Black Cats players to get rained on. The Stadium of Light looks to have taken a particular battering from the rain today.

We are under way in our four Premier League games. Rain is pouring down at most of them. It is an afternoon that sorts your Wu-Tang Clan from your One Direction.

It’s tight at the top, with the three leading sides all on 40 points at kick-off. Leaders Oxford host Carlisle, who will be on the road for a while given the state of their Brunton Park home following the recent devastating floods. 

Second-placed Plymouth host Cambridge while Northampton, no longer under the threat of insolvency, are at Luton. 

At the other end, the bottom two both face away trips. York go to Bristol Rovers while Yeovil, at the very foot of the table, are at Barnet.

New Burton manager Nigel Clough won’t be with his new side when the table-toppers travel to Gillingham. The Brewers’ boss, who returned to the club after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink joined QPR, has “long-standing media commitments” so coaches Gary Crosby and Andy Garner are in charge. 

Second-placed Coventry play tomorrow, so Walsall could steal a march on the Sky Blues if they come away from the Lancashire coast with a win at Fleetwood. Struggling Blackpool travel to Wigan, in fifth, while Peterborough, who are one place behind Latics, host Shrewsbury. 

Table-propping Barnsley visit fellow strugglers Colchester.

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator at Selhurst Park

"Every team seems to have an opponent who they find it hard to get any positive result against, and for Crystal Palace that bogey side in the Premier League is surely Southampton.

"Ronald Koeman will be hoping that continues this Saturday, as his team look to halt a run of three without a victory (four if you include the League Cup thrashing to Liverpool).

"Palace have a better record on their travels than they do at Selhurst Park this season but, backed by their magnificent home support, Alan Pardew's team will always be a force. It should be a fascinating afternoon."

Image source, Rex Features

The Palace team news is pretty simple. One change for Alan Pardew's men as winger Wilfried Zaha returns from suspension to start. Out goes central midfielder Mile Jedinak, who has an ankle injury. Forwards Dwight Gayle and Bakary Sako also miss out with knocks.  

Saints manager Ronald Koeman has been forced to ponder a few selection dilemmas. Firstly, he's without regular stopper Maarten Stekelenburg, who is being bothered by a toe injury. Top scorer Graziano Pelle (knee) is only fit enough for a spot on the bench, where he will be joined by attacking midfielder Dusan Tadic.

 Koeman makes four changes in total, with Paulo Gazzaniga, Maya Yoshida, Oriol Romeu and Shane Long all getting the nod.  

You have to feel sorry for the poor kids that Man City have sent out on to the pitch at the Etihad for a Christmas sing-a-long. The rain ponchos they're sporting are fighting a losing battle against the downpour. It is wetter than an otter's pocket in Manchester. 

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stadium of Light

"There's been some fuss about Sam Allardyce describing this as a six-pointer,  but that all depends on your interpretation of the well-worn football phrase.

"No, Watford aren't currently Sunderland's relegation rivals - but if you look at the run of fixtures ahead, then the Black Cats boss is right to stress the importance of winning this game.

"Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool loom over the holidays for both teams, with Spurs thrown into Watford's schedule too.

"A point each wouldn't surprise."

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

"Quique Flores signed all of those players in the summer, he'd never managed in the Premier League but has managed to find a very good side really early. 

"The form of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney is the icing on the cake. Igahlo looks a real athlete. I think they'll be absolutely fine in the Premier League, Watford. Not a problem."

Sunderland make one change from the side that lost at Arsenal last week - Younes Kaboul is unwell so Billy Jones fills in at centre-half.

The Black Cats also have striker Jermain Defoe fit again after a hamstring problem - he is on the bench.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Yedlin, Jones, O’Shea, Coates, van Aanholt, M’Vila, Toivonen, Borini, Fletcher, Watmore

Subs: Mannone, Rodwell, Johnson, Matthews, Lens, Defoe, Graham.

Image source, BBC Sport

Watford also make one change from the team that beat Norwich last week. Almen Abdi replaces Ikechi Anya in the Hornets midfield.

Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake, Capoue, Watson, Abdi, Deeney, Jurado, Ighalo.

Subs: Arlauskis, Paredes, Guedioura, Berghuis, Anya, Diamanti, Oulare.  

Image source, BBC Sport

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John Hartson
Former Arsenal striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"I can’t believe Ryan Shawcross has not won more England caps. He is a rock at the back for Stoke, he’s a leader, he puts his head on it, he’s a no-nonsense defender - and that’s taking nothing away from the fact that he can play. 

"They've got a good mix, Stoke, but it all starts at the back."

John Hartson
Former Arsenal striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"The injuries West Ham have suffered are disappointing more than a worry. I think the Hammers will be OK. They won away at Arsenal, Liverpool… it’s a blow though, the problems they have had. 

"It’s disappointing because they won't finish as high as many expected following their start to the season."

Jason Roberts
Former West Brom striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"Stoke boss Mark Hughes has slowly gone about his work and changed the dynamic of the club and the way they approach games. They’re brilliant. 

"He focused on a defensive standpoint. They struggled to put all their attacking players in at the start. Then when the confidence came in, they put the attacking players in. 

"We shouldn’t be surprised at how well they’re doing with the players they have. Marko Arnautovic has improved this season. His work-rate is exceptional. They are two or three players away from challenging in the top five or six."

Image source, Empics