The Clarets secured all three points when these sides last met back in August, as Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win. However, that was only one of Burnley’s three wins this season, meaning they currently find themselves deep in the relegation zone, 10 points adrift of safety. 

Scott Parker’s men have been leaky at the back - with 44 goals conceded from 23 league games, they rank as the second-worst defensive unit, which Sunderland will hope to exploit. The Black Cats have been strong on home turf this season, and are still unbeaten after 12 matches in all competitions. Over 1.5 goals has landed in 10 of those. 

However, Burnley will fancy their chances of at least getting on the scoresheet, given how they have shown a bit of fight in recent games, which has given hope for a miraculous comeback.

Burnley are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, and were able to hold on to a 1-1 draw at Anfield in their last away outing. However, they were incredibly fortunate to come away with a point there. The Reds racked up 32 shots worth 3.18xG, but were somehow only able to find the back of the net once. 

Martin Dubravka racked up eight saves, and was a key player for the Clarets. The Slovakian international has really earned his paycheck in between the sticks this season, and has accrued more saves than any other keeper in the Premier League, by quite some distance too.

Dubravka has managed 94 saves, with an impressive save-rate of 70%. Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs ranks second with 75 saves in the same number of minutes. Dubravka is averaging 4.3 saves per game when playing away this season.

Brian Brobbey scored the only goal for Sunderland against West Ham last weekend, as he side were beaten 3-1. The Dutchman has now scored five Premier League goals since completing his move from Ajax over the summer, and he really seems to be finding his feet recently. 

Brobbey has scored in back-to-back matches coming into this clash, as he also popped up with a crucial goal against Crystal Palace. His goal in the 71st minute proved decisive, earning his side all three points. 

The 23-year-old is averaging 1.74 shots per 90 in the Premier League this season, which in itself is nothing to write home about, but Brobbey tends to find himself in promising positions, meaning most of his efforts at goal are high-quality chances. 47% of his shots have hit the target, and this selection has landed in seven of the last eight league matches, by virtue of the Super Sub feature.

Granit Xhaka was a surprise exclusion from the matchday squad against West Ham last weekend, which forced Enzo Le Fee into a slightly deeper role alongside Noah Sadiki. The Frenchman has established himself as a key player under Regis Le Bris this season, and has played the full 90 in nine consecutive Premier League matches. 

In that time, he has been fouled 10 times, taking his average to 0.97 fouls drawn per 90 for the season. This bet has landed in seven out of 10 games at the Stadium of Light this season, and he draws an excellent matchup this weekend to improve that hit-rate. 

Florentino Luis and Lesley Ugochukwu have combined for 2.67 fouls per 90 across all competitions this term, and should find duels with Le Fee. Xavi Simons was fouled twice against Burnley last time out, highlighting how the Clarets can be aggressive in midfield.

Both Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero were on the scoresheet for Spurs against Burnley last weekend, highlighting how the Clarets have been vulnerable from set-pieces this season. Based on that, Dan Ballard should be licking his lips at the prospect of this matchup, considering he has been Sunderland’s primary target from dead ball scenarios. 

Ballard registered two shots in his last match at the Stadium of Light, and both hit the target. He is averaging 1.71 shots per 90 at home this season, which is an eye-catching figure for a centre back. He has registered a shot in all eight appearances on home turf, landing this selection in four of those. 

Ballard also managed to get on the scoresheet against Arsenal and West Ham, highlighting how threatening he can be in the air, so he looks set to cause Burnley problems.

Bashir Humphreys has established himself as a regular in the back three for Burnley in the last month or so, and looks set to start again this weekend. The former Chelsea man made his first Premier League start of the season against Everton, and has started all five league games since. 

Humphreys has been booked in two of those games, both of which were away. Due to his lack of gametime, the 22-year-old has looked a bit rusty at times, being quite rash in his challenges. He does tend to press forward and get tight to his opponent, looking to win the ball back quickly.

However, that can often leave Humphreys caught out of position and forced into cynical fouls. That was exactly what happened against Liverpool in his last away outing, and against Brighton at the Amex before that.

Nordi Mukiele is another player who could be in for a tough afternoon, as he will have to deal with Jaidon Anthony on the flank. The winger has been playing with confidence in recent weeks, and has scored twice in his last four appearances.

He has also been fouled seven times in that period, taking his average to 1.88 fouls drawn per 90 for the season. That is one of the highest figures in the Burnley squad, highlighting how Anthony sees plenty of the ball, which should bring Mukiele into action on the defensive front. 

The Frenchman is averaging 0.9 fouls per 90 this season, which has translated to four bookings. Interestingly, all four of his yellow cards have been shown at the Stadium of Light, highlighting how Mukiele plays with a bit more intent on home turf. He has been carded in four of his last seven home games overall.