Burnley vs Sunderland: How to watch, team news, recent form and referee

All you need to know ahead of Sunderland's Sky Bet Championship game against Burnley.

Author:
Will Jeffries
Publish date:
Mar 30, 2023 9:36 PM EDT

Sunderland return to action after the International break as they travel to Turf Moor to face league leaders Burnley looking to finish the season strongly.

Over 2,200 red and white supporters are making the trip across to Lancashire to support the lads, which will come as little surprise to anyone.

Last time out, Sunderland secured a 1-1 draw against play-off chasing Luton Town, while Burnley extended their unbeaten run with a 3-1 win away at Hull City.

How to watch Burnley vs Sunderland

When: Friday 31st March 2023, Kick-off: 8pm
Where: Turf Moor
How to Watch: Sky Sports Football/Main Event or SAFC Stream (International)
Radio: BBC Radio Newcastle

Team News

Taylor Harwood-Bellis is in contention for a return to the Burnley side after being injured since January, while Manuel Benson and Jay Rodriguez are both back in training.

Darko Churlinov has recovered from illness and featured for North Macedonia during their 2-1 win against Malta in the International break. However, one player who is set to miss out for Burnley is Lyle Foster due to passport issues.

Sunderland's injury list continues to grow as Dan Ballard is out for for 2-3 weeks after suffering a hamstring injury on International duty playing for Northern Ireland, while Jewison Bennette suffered a dislocated shoulder during Costa Rica training and could be missing for the rest of the season.

Dennis Cirkin is expected to be amongst the travelling party as he is nearing a full return, while Amad Diallo is also expected to be involved despite arriving back late after fulfilling his Ivory Coast duties.

Last Meeting

The two sides last played each other in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 22nd October 2022, with the Black Cats losing 4-2 in a six goal thriller at the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland goals were scored by Amad Diallo and Dan Neil.

Sunderland team: Patterson, Hume, O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Diallo, Embleton, Pritchard, Clarke

Recent Form

Burnley: DWDWW
Sunderland: LLWLD

Head-to-head (Last 10 Matches)

Burnley wins: 4
Draws: 3
Sunderland wins: 3

Who is the referee for Burnley vs Sunderland

Jarred Gillett will take charge of this match and has refereed 21 matches over the last 12 months and issuing 65 yellow cards.

He will be assisted by Derek Eaton and Natalie Aspinall, with John Busby acting as the fourth official.

What the Managers have said

Vincent Kompany insists he and his squad are ready for the final nine games of their season while also praising Tony Mowbray's side knowing the two sides have a 'similar DNA'.

Kompany said: "If football was a language we speak a similar language, there's many things they do that are similar.

"Their threat with the wingers and midfielders on the ball. The ability to switch play and the way they attack the box.

"We're from a similar family of football and it's in the DNA of both teams to go forward in games.

"We're ready. I'm looking forward to being back in action and returning to Turf Moor in front of our fans, we're all looking forward to it.

"It's a game at home and our fans have been waiting for this game, it's felt like a while since we were last here with the away games and then the break.

"We've got a nice lead into the Middlesbrough game with no midweek match and then a game every three days, but we will be ready."

Tony Mowbray sees the Burnley game as a 'free hit' for his side as they aim to go to Turf Moor to attack and play their own game.

Mowbray said: "Like we have done in all of the games, we will be aggressive and attack the game.

"Sometimes the opposition's team quality can push you back but we won't go with the mindset of being defensive. We will go and take the game to them.

"The collective structure of the team, out of possession against a top team, you have to work hard like we have done against the top teams already.

"It's very difficult during these breaks to work on the team for the next game, especially as we are playing Burnley on the Friday night. Three or four of them won't be back until Wednesday afternoon and so we'll have a day to work as a team, and some of these players will have had a couple of games abroad.

"I try and tell them that they're not far away. We have to get some injuries back, recruitment right in the summer.

"We have the nucleus of a really good, exciting team and so we have to stick together and keep going. We should look forward to Burnley, we'll go and be positive like we did at Fulham and Norwich, and play on the front foot and test them out."

Sunderland predicted lineup vs Burnley

It gets no easier for Tony Mowbray as the injuries only ever seem to stack up for Sunderland this season.

He will be forced into one change and he is likely to bring Amad Diallo back into the starting lineup.

Sunderland predicted lineup vs Burnley (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Batth, Gooch; Neil, Michut; Roberts, Amad, Clarke, Gelhardt