Sunderland face Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday night. The Sky Sports cameras will be out as these two promotion rivals gear up for what should be a really entertaining game.
Burnley play host to the Black Cats on Friday night as Championship action gets back underway following a break for the FA Cup third round, in which Sunderland were dumped out of the competition by Stoke City.
It was a poor performance from Regis Le Bris’ side. But few fans mind with Sunderland looking like real title challengers in the Championship, no less after the loan signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma.
Burnley have been going about their business quietly and confidently. Scott Parker is looking for a third Championship promotion as manager and currently sees his Clarets side sitting in 2nd place of the table.
Earlier in the season, Sunderland beat Burnley 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, with the currently injured Romaine Mundle scoring the only goal that day.
Sunderland team news vs Burnley with Aji Alese update shared
The big bit of injury news for Sunderland going into the Burnley game is that Aji Alese requires surgery on a knee injury during the defeat against Stoke City last time out.
Le Bris gave an update on Alese’s injury before the Burnley game, saying: “We are not really sure yet. I don’t have a full update, it all depends on the surgery and the results after, but it should be a long [absence].”
Sunderland saw Salis Abdul Samed debut against Stoke City and Chris Rigg make his return to action too. Dan Ballard could be in the squad that travels to Burnley after being rested against Stoke, despite Le Bris saying Ballard should’ve been fit for that game.
Elsewhere, Tommy Watson, Alan Browne, and Mundle are expected back at the end of January. Ian Poveda, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins remain sidelined for the Black Cats.
Sunderland predicted lineup vs Burnley, Regis Le Bris faces midfield call
All eyes will be on Le Fee and whether or not he features on Friday. Many expect him to come off the bench, but with Rigg having only just returned, Le Fee could be the better option in midfield right now.
That, or Le Bris goes with a shape that allows to have both on the bench, which feels probable. There’ll be no Aaron Connolly after he joined Millwall, so that could mean youngster Trey Ogunsuyi starts on the bench and potentially makes his Championship debut later on in the game.
Elsewhere, expect a relatively familiar side with Dennis Cirkin coming in at left-back for the injured Alese, and Luke O’Nien partnering Chris Mepham at the back should Ballard miss out or start on the bench.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up on Friday night…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
O’Nien
Mepham
Hume
Aouchiche
Bellingham
Neil
Roberts
Isidor
Mayenda