Burnley vs. Sunderland: Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 31)

Initial Thoughts

The standout team in the Championship this season, Burnley can take one step closer towards England’s top flight on Friday.

The Narrative

143 days. 1,530 minutes of football. That’s how long it's been since Burnley FC last lost a game in the Championship.

The Clarets are 13 points clear at the top of the table and haven’t tasted defeat in the league since November last year.

It must have come as quite a shock then, when Vincent Kompany’s side went up against Manchester City in the FA Cup just before the international break. 

Ex-city captain Kompany watched his side get thrashed 6-0 at the Etihad, and it was a sign of what lies ahead, as the Clarets are all but certain of gaining automatic promotion to the Premier League next season.

On Friday night Burnley will aim to take another step towards England’s top tier when they welcome 11th placed Sunderland to Turf Moor.

The Black Cats have only one win in their last seven outings in the league, and they arrive in this matchup having drawn 1-1 with 4th placed Luton just before the international break.

Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo scored Sunderland’s equalizer in that match, and the Ivorian 20 year old also scored when these side last met back in October.

Sunderland went 2-0 in the first half in that encounter, only for Burnley to turn the game around with four second half goals.

Nuts & Bolts

Both sides will come into this match well rested, and Sunderland may draw confidence from a 1-0 win in their last away game to Norwich City back in early March.

But Burnley haven’t lost at home all season, having won five of their last six fixtures at Turf Moor - scoring 14 times and conceding only twice in that period.

Nathan Tella is the League’s third highest scorer on 17 goals. The 23 year old, on loan from Premier League outfit Southampton, scored a hatrick in Burnley’s last league outing against Hull City and also found the net in that 4-2 win against Sunderland earlier in the season.

Overall Burnley have racked up 43 goals in front of their home fans this season - scoring in every single league game at Turf Moor this campaign.

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Same game parlay: Burnley & Over 2.5 goals (+123)

The Clarets scored three or more goals in both of their last home fixtures, so this same game parlay looks like good value.

Nathan Tella anytime goal (+160)

The inform striker has five goals in his last two league games so we’re backing him to find the net again on Friday.

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