Burnley v Sunderland

It is an all-top-four battle in the Championship on Friday night as Burnley welcome Sunderland to Turf Moor. The hosts would go top of the table, at least for a few days, if they were to claim maximum points. Hopes are high in the home camp on a count of their 14-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. The visitors have only been defeated 4 times in league action all season, although all of those came playing away from their fortress Stadium of Light.

⭐ Burnley v Sunderland Best Bet

This will likely be a very tactical contest between 2 of the best teams in the Championship. Generally, it has been a low-scoring affair whenever Burnley or Sunderland have faced another top-seven club this season. The main reason being that both know the strengths and weaknesses of one another. Burnley can be frustrated having drawn 0-0 4 times against bottom-half clubs, so Sunderland need to frustrate if they’re to stay in the game.

Also, only Stoke have been drawing more Championship games at half-time this season than Burnley. They’ve only been behind 4 times at the interval and the same can be said of Sunderland. Scott Parker’s side also have 0-0 as by far their most popular score at HT in home league matches with 6. Speaking of 6, this is how many times Sunderland’s away league contests have also been 0-0 after 45 minutes.

👕 Burnley v Sunderland Predicted XI

🔍 Burnley v Sunderland Players to Watch

🟣 Conor Roberts

The dependable right-back is one of the first names on the Burnley team sheet these days. He is someone Scott Parker trusts due to the experience he possesses. Although not afraid to get forward, he is a defender first and foremost and relishes getting into one-on-one duels. This is someone who puts the team first and won’t shy away from making a big challenge if required.

The Wales international is currently on a three-game running of committing a foul. It is the first time this season has done this across a consecutive sequence of over 2 matches. This is quite significant considering he actually isn’t normally one to produce too many offenses, so it has to be taken notice of.

🔴 Luke O'Nien

Luke O’Nien is soon approaching 7 years as a Sunderland player and in that time fans have certainly become accustomed to what to expect from the former Wycombe man. This is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and will do anything for the benefit of Sunderland. He is enjoying a run in the team again at centre-back and has been regularly making fouls in that time.

Over the last 6 games, in which he has started them all, O’Nien has made a total of 7 fouls. This includes producing 2 or more in 3 of those, which includes in one other top of the table battle against Sheffield United. With Burnley also riding high, Friday’s game could bring out certain emotions in the committed performer.

📂 Burnley v Sunderland Cheat Sheet

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💻 Burnley v Sunderland Form and Tactics

Burnley may be sitting 2^nd in the Championship table but that isn’t necessarily because of a free-scoring nature. The Clarets are ranked only 11^th highest-scorers in the division. They’ve netted the same as Derby and fewer than Coventry, both of whom are in the bottom half of the table. More surprisingly they have an xG that is only the 19^th best in the league.

The team has at least averaged 16.18 touches in the opponent’s penalty area per match, which can only be bettered by 6 of their league rivals. Scott Parker’s men are only averaging 3.50 shots on target as well (ranked 20^th), which demonstrates how effective they are when given the chance to work the ball into advanced situations. Burnley are 5^th in the division for accurate passes per game (407.50), so clearly the game plan is to be patient in possession and take their chances when they come.

Retaining the ball may be the strength of one team, however, that isn’t a necessity for Sunderland. They’re only ranked 14^th in the league for average possession (47.70%), meaning tactically this clash with Burnley may end up suiting them. In fact, only Leeds have scored more goals on counterattacks compared to Régis Le Bris outfit in the English second-tier. With them averaging 8.50 interceptions per league contest, they should get ample opportunity to break at speed.

Burnley hold by far the best defensive record in the league, but that isn’t to say Sunderland are too shabby in this aspect of their game. Their defensive record is still ranked 5^th best and an xGA of 27.39 compared to the 21.06 of their Friday opponents suggests both are not all that different. The Black Cats will be happy to sit off and wait for their moment, proved by the fact they only average 3.40 possessions regained in the final third per match.

🏁 Burnley v Sunderland Ref Watch

• Referee: Anthony Backhouse
• Only once has Backhouse given a penalty this season, which was all the way back in August during a League Cup tie between Blackburn and Blackpool.

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