Premier League preview and odds: Burnley vs Sunderland

Published on: 29/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Burnley vs Sunderland

December 31, 2016 16:00pm - Turf Moor

Referee: TBC

Premier League

Burnley will look to record their fifth home win in six Premier League matches when they welcome relegation battlers Sunderland to Turf Moor on New Year`s Eve. The visitors themselves could escape the bottom three with a win, if other results go their way.

Strong home form is the key for Burnley

Burnley have the fifth-best home form in the league this term, having picked up 19 points on home soil - more than both of the Manchester teams. However, as a result of their poor away form, which has produced just a single point all season, they are currently languishing in 14th place in the table - just six points clear of the drop zone.

A win for Sean Dyche`s men could see them flirt with the top 10 places should other results go their way. They come into this game on the back of a 1-0 win at home to fellow newcomers Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, opponents Sunderland can give their survival hopes a massive boost with a win on Saturday. David Moyes men have the ninth-best form in the league over the last eight matches and are now third from bottom in the table just two points adrift of 17th-ranked Crystal Palace.

The Black Cats have conceded at least one goal in all of their away games this season and have recorded just one win away from the Stadium of Light. They have lost six of their last seven away matches and failed to score in five of them.

Team news

The home side have remained relatively injury-free this term but will have to make do without the suspended Jeff Hendrick for this clash, while Dean Marney picked up a knock last week and could also miss out.

Meanwhile, the visitors continue struggle with an extensive injury list that currently includes Jan Kirchhoff (cartilage), Duncan Watmore (ACL), Lynden Gooch (ankle), Paddy McNair (knee), Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (hip), while Javi Manquillo and Steven Pienaar both remain doubtful.

Recent form (League):

Burnley: WLLWL

Sunderland: LLLWL

Betting odds and tips

Burnley`s home form has been excellent all season and could prove to be the key to survival for the Clarets this term. Since their opening day slip-up against Swansea City, only Arsenal and Manchester City have beaten them at Turf Moor.

Sunderland like to keep things tight, but often fail to maintain their discipline for the full 90 minutes as a result, a half-time stalemate can be expected, with Burnley eventually gaining superiority in the second period.

You can back the Draw/Burnley in the Half-time/Full-time market at a best price of 11/2.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/12/2016 13:54:23) but are subject to change.