Burnley vs Sunderland Predictions

• Both teams have not scored in eight of Burnley’s last 12 home games
• Both teams have not scored in four of Sunderland’s last six away matches
• The two clashes between the clubs last season finished 0-0 and 1-0 to Sunderland

Promoted clubs experience highs and lows

Burnley and Sunderland experienced contrasting fortunes on their Premier League returns last weekend, but there is unlikely to be much between them when they clash at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Black Cats thoroughly deserved to enjoy their day in the sun at the Stadium of Light as Regis Le Bris gave a raft of summer signings their debuts in a 3-0 win over West Ham. Although the likes of Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Chemsine Talbi were influential figures in the game, it was three stars of last season’s promotion-winning campaign that got the goals.

Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and Wilson Isidor will all remember last season’s trip to East Lancashire for a Friday night clash of promotion contenders — especially Isidor, who had two identical penalties saved by James Trafford in a 0-0 draw.

Clarets competed until Richarlison’s wonder goal

The Clarets were the clean sheet kings of the division last term, but Trafford is gone and replacement Martin Dubravka looks set for a busier campaign if Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham is anything to go by.

To be fair to Scott Parker’s side, Richarlison was the difference between the teams in North London and had he been in Burnley’s line-up they might have won comfortably too. The Clarets had twice the number of Spurs’ total shots in the first half, plus more shots on target and corners, but Richarlison’s brilliant second strike shattered their resolve.

They won’t face a striker with as much class as that on Saturday with this match likely to be decided in midfield and possibly on a set piece. Neither side lacks height and both goalkeepers do not appear to struggle in traffic, so goal chances could be few and far between.

Clean sheets on offer at Turf Moor

One or both sides could blank the other, as happened in the two Championship clashes between the clubs last season. Trafford’s heroics earned Burnley a 0-0 draw at home while the Black Cats held out with 10 men for the final few minutes to win 1-0 in a game of few chances on Wearside.

Burnley will be under greater pressure to win this while a point might be seen as an acceptable result for Sunderland given their superb start. Although they scored three goals in their opener from an expecetd goals (xG) figure of less than less than 0.7, Sunderland cannot expect that to happen more than a couple of times a season.

Backing Under 2.5 goals looks a solid play, but taking one or both clubs to record a shut out seems an even better choice in the circumstances with a repeat of last season’s 0-0 scoreline unlikely to be far off.