Sunderland host Burnley in the Championship on Saturday.
Going into Saturday’s round of fixtures, Burnley sit in 1st place of the table, and Sunderland in 2nd.
Both teams have won their opening two games of the season and both have looked impressive in doing so.
Burnley beat Luton Town 4-0 in their opening game of the season, then thumping Cardiff City 5-0.
Sunderland meanwhile beat Cardiff City 2-0, then thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 at the Stadium of Light.
New manager Regis Le Bris has quickly won over the approval of fans. Though it remains very early into his tenure, and very early into this 2024/25 Championship season.
Sunderland last hosted Burnley in 2022, losing 4-2 in the Championship with Amad Diallo and Dan Neil on the score-sheet for the Black Cats.
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Sunderland team and injury news
Ipswich Town are set to sign Jack Clarke from Sunderland and so it seems unlikely that Clarke features against Burnley; if he does, it’ll surely be his final game for the club.
Sunderland have signed Wilson Isidor on loan from Zenit but the striker is unlikely to feature for Le Bris.
Ian Poveda recently featured for Sunderland’s U21s and could come off the bench to make his debut for the Black Cats this weekend.
Nectarios Triantis was injured vs Newcastle United U21s in midweek, but his injury doesn’t seem serious.
Dan Ballard, Niall Huggins, and Jenson Seelt remain longer-term absentees.
Sunderland predicted XI to face Burnley
Le Bris seems unlikely to make any changes for the game vs Burnley, given how impressive the last performance vs Sheffield Wednesday was.
But the Frenchman may be forced into one; replacing Clarke if he’s left out of the team.
Romaine Mundle will step straight into the XI in place of Clarke, and it’s a huge chance for the former Spurs youngster to prove himself.
Here’s how we think Sunderland will line up against Burnley…
Patterson (GK)
Cirkin
Alese
O’Nien
Hume
Neil
Rigg
Mundle
Bellingham
Roberts
Mayenda