Two newly-promoted teams with contrasting fortunes face off on Monday as Sunderland hosts Burnley at the Stadium of Light. This matchup brings together a Sunderland side striving to solidify its position in the league and a Burnley team desperately seeking to escape the relegation zone.
Kickoff is set for 3 PM ET, and fans can watch the game on USA Network, along with live updates available through PST’s coverage.
Sunderland enters this game following a tough 3-1 defeat against West Ham, which has further complicated their campaign due to the injury of their captain, Granit Xhaka. Despite this setback, Sunderland has been enjoying a remarkable season. A victory against Burnley would pull them level on points with seventh-place Brentford. Historically, Sunderland has had difficulty against teams that play a more direct style, as demonstrated in their earlier loss to Burnley.
Burnley, on the other hand, is enduring a lengthy winless streak, with 14 Premier League matches without a victory. However, Scott Parker’s squad has managed to secure five draws in their last seven games, reflecting a glimmer of hope. Their latest fixture ended in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham, and although they’ve been competitive against teams like Manchester United and Liverpool, they find themselves 11 points adrift from safety, making this upcoming match crucial for their survival hopes.
In terms of team news, Sunderland will be without Xhaka, and both Bertrand Traore and Arthur Masuaku are also unavailable. The midfield will likely feature Habib Diarra alongside Noah Sadiki, while Enzo Le Fee could return to a wide position to support Brian Brobbey, who’s expected to lead their attacking efforts.
Burnley’s strategy under Parker has shifted to a pragmatic 3-4-2-1 formation. The new signing, James Ward-Prowse, is anticipated to enhance their set-piece effectiveness, while Armando Broja has consistently posed a challenge for opposing defenses. Martin Dubravka’s impressive performances have kept Burnley competitive in several recent matches.
Looking ahead, the prediction for the match leans towards a narrow Sunderland victory, potentially closing with a final score of 2-1. This game presents an opportunity for Sunderland to continue their strong season while Burnley seeks to regain footing and reignite their fight against relegation.