Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Sunderland
The start of the last season was far from ideal for Sunderland: they began with two defeats and finished 16th. That year, they were managed by three different coaches, including an interim coach on two occasions. This summer, the club brought in Frenchman Régis Le Bris from Lorient, despite the side being relegated from Ligue 1. However, there is nothing like it this time. Sunderland opened the campaign with two clean-sheet victories: a 2:0 win over league outsiders Cardiff City and a 4:0 triumph against mid-table Sheffield Wednesday. Notably, Sunderland had less possession in both games (37% and 49%), and such a strategy is unlikely to yield success against a top opponent.
Burnley
Burnley also faced Cardiff City, but the team managed to score five goals from 0.81 xG with just four shots on target — one of which was an own goal from Cardiff City. In comparison, Sunderland needed 1.80 xG to net their two goals. The team has shown exceptional finishing efficiency. In their first round against Luton Town, they scored four goals from six shots on target with 1.46 xG. Burnley may not significantly outperform their opponents in overall play, but they’re just more skilled at finishing which makes them formidable.
Sunderland - Burnley Prediction
The match against Burnley will be the first real test for Sunderland. They might once again concede possession, but this could be risky. As we've seen, Burnley tends to capitalize on nearly every accurate shot. Recalling the season before last: Burnley won 4:2 away and settled for a 0:0 draw at home. Both teams have strong defensive and offensive capabilities, making a bet on Burnley with a 0 handicap more realistic.
