Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
It is apparent, with 20 rounds remaining, that both clubs are likely to finish in the top four. However, the more crucial question is which team will make it into the coveted top two, securing an automatic promotion to the Premier League. Currently, only Burnley are in that spot. This encounter will play a pivotal role. The home side at Turf Moor could extend their lead to five points.
Burnley
Burnley have been navigating this season almost undefeated. Their last loss came at the hands of Millwall on November 3rd (0:1). Fourteen matches have passed since then, and that game was away in London. Burnley have been unbeaten on their home turf since May 2024, when Nottingham Forest sealed their relegation from the Premier League (1:2). To add more context, Championship matches involving Burnley rarely see more than two goals scored, with only five out of 26 matches breaking this pattern. More than three goals have not been seen since the second round.
Sunderland
Sunderland stumbled recently, but it was in the third round of the FA Cup. Ahead of this crucial match, they opted to conserve their energy against Stoke City (1:2). Meanwhile, Burnley played against Reading from League One (3:1), a team they could feasibly defeat with reserve players. In the Championship, Sunderland have won two consecutive games, but their success dwindles when they leave the Stadium of Light: just one victory in their last seven outings.
Burnley vs Sunderland Prediction
Burnley are expected to extend their unbeaten streak at Turf Moor. There will likely be few goals, as is typical for their style. However, accounting for Sunderland's slightly more prolific play (8 of their last 10 away matches in the league ending with a total under 3.5), three goals are plausible.
