PREVIEW: Sunderland visit Burnley for key fixture after flying start | OneFootball

After the perfect start to life back in the Premier League following an eight-year absence, Sunderland visit Burnley in the hope of building on their 3-0 dismantling of West Ham.

Le Bris on his current squad

Members of the play-off success, Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilsn Isidor, are most likely to retain their places in the starting eleven for The Black Cats after all scoring on the opening weekend, with Régis Le Bris reporting no fresh injury concerns. However, he alluded to further activity before the transfer window shuts in his pre-match press conference. He stated: “I think we need competition to be consistent in this league and we need the competition for the squad. Also for the position as well, because of injuries and suspension, but also because of the different style of play we will have to face.”

As for the opposition, Le Bris made clear his respect for them: “They enjoyed a really strong season last year, really consistent, hard to beat, they conceded few goals and they were always well organised. I don’t think it’ll be different and they still have many threats to score goals.” However, he also drew attention to the additions to his squad and the chance for them to make their own impact against Burnley.

How hard could it be?

Burnley conceded the least goals in the Championship last season: a total of just 16. Scott Parker’s side were impenetrable on many occasions, going unbeaten at home throughout the campaign. Sunderland played excellently last weekend, even with eight new debutants sharing the field, The Clarets’ home fortunes are not to be overlooked.

And their defence has only improved, with the signings of experienced goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka and former Manchester City and AC Milan defender Kyle Walker. Scott Parker also placed much faith in his attack, which looks very similar to how it did last campaign. The contractual obligation to buy forward Zian Flemming from Millwall for £7 million was activated after notching 12 goals, while promising wingers Jadon Anthony and Marcus Edwards also return after successful loan spells.

Sunderland profited from adopting a more direct style of play than Burnley prefer to play with against West Ham, making great use of the wings with pinpoint crosses into Mayenda and the towering Ballard. This might suit playing away against a side that made good use of their possession to control the vast majority of their home games in the Championship, should their defence hold out. Burnley are notably slow starters at home, having failed to win seven of their last nine first home games in the top flight. But Sunderland have had no luck away from home in either August or September themselves, losing every one since 2009.

Scott Parker reveals his team’s mantra for the season

Speaking to the press earlier today, the Burnley boss insisted that his side must move on from being well-beaten at Spurs. Such a necessity, he said, was his team’s mantra this season just as it was the last.

“We did that majority of last year, ruthless assessment at times that when things aren’t right or things need to be very critical,” he said. “We own up to that, we face up to that and we adopt an attitude which is one of, okay, where do we need to improve? What do we need to do?”

An early six pointer?

Both sides will view this encounter as one of the best opportunities to grab three points all season. Sunderland have the momentum going into the match, after many had predicted West ham to present more of a challenge. While this isn’t the case for Burnley, they benefit from the home support that will create a suitable atmosphere in celebration of their Premier League return. But they can take confidence from having kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight games against Burnley, including both matches last season.

The key players for Burnley will be their aforementioned attackers. This match represents a great opportunity for them to prove themselves at the highest level, with the trust placed in them to carry the team forward in the step up from England’s second tier.

Sunderland’s key participants are arguably further down the field, in skipper Ballard and Swiss veteran Granit Xhaka. The away side will need to stay organised at the back as there is the chance of being under pressure for prolonged spells during the game. However, a strong foundation will pay dividends should their direct approach in attack provide the same threat as it did last weekend.

The two sides’ performances are a key indicator of their progress during pre-season, with their acquaintances renewed following successful Championship campaigns, and will arguably set the tone for their matches prior to Christmas.

The action between Burnley and Sunderland gets underway on Saturday at 15:00 BST, with the game not televised in the United Kingdom.