Summary

  • Sunderland make two changes, last played on 5 Mar

  • Denayer for Kone, Rodwell for N'Dong

  • Burnley unchanged from defeat at Liverpool

  • Clarets without an away win all season

  • Sunderland bottom, six points from safety

  1. Postpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Sunderland

    Jermain Defoe has scored 14 of Sunderland's 24 goals in the league this season. Talk about relying on your striker. 

    The 34-year-old won the most recent of his 55 England caps against Chile in November 2013 - but was re-called to Gareth Southgate's squad on Thursday.

    Will he bag again today?

    Jermain DefoeImage source, PA
  2. Postpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Mark Lawrenson
    BBC football expert

    Sunderland are six points from safety now, and although this is not quite their last throw of the dice, it is not far off it.

    I am going to tip Burnley to win. The way they are playing, they surely cannot go the whole season without an away win.

    Prediction:  1-2

    Lawro's full predictions v boxer Anthony Crolla

    • Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our  Predictor game
  3. Surely no repeat?published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Guy Mowbray
    Match of the Day commentator

    It has to be better than last time. Even David Moyes described January's Stadium of Light FA Cup meeting between these teams as 'a slog for everybody'.

    This, though, has the added 'big chance' factor.

    Sunderland surely have to go into the international break with the boost of a win.

    Anything else against a team that's only taken two points on the road all season will have many declaring that another escape from relegation will be beyond them. Most outside onlookers already have.

    Burnley are desperate to break what Sean Dyche describes as 'an anomaly' in their season - failure to win away. Here's their big chance, in a game that could prove a big deal.

  4. Postpublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    These two met three times in the space of 18 days earlier this season, and it was the Black Cats who came off worse.

    FA Cup third round replay: Burnley 2-0 Sunderland  (17 January)

    FA Cup third round: Sunderland 0-0 Burnley  (7 January)

    Premier League: Burnley 4-1 Sunderland  (31 December)

    SunderlandImage source, Reuters
  5. Head-to-headpublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    • Sunderland are unbeaten in nine league meetings at home to Burnley since a Second Division defeat in December 1972 (W7, D2)
    • Burnley's most recent top-flight win on Wearside came in October 1969
    • The Clarets have yet to lose to Sunderland in three meetings this season, winning twice at home and drawing 0-0 at the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup third round
  6. Postpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Sean DycheImage source, Rex Features

    Dyche and company were left scratching their heads over what more they can do to win on the road following last weekend's "tough to take" defeat at Liverpool. 

    With only two points from a possible 42 at opposition grounds this term, Burnley have just five games left to avoid becoming the worst away side in Premier League history. 

    Derby County are the current record-holders, with three points away during the 2007-08 season. 

  7. Team newspublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Sunderland manager David Moyes makes two changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their previous match - 13 days ago. 

    Didier N'Dong is replaced by Jack Rodwell in midfield, and out goes Lamine Kone from central defence, replaced by Jason Denayer.

    Sunderland XI: Pickford, Jones, Denayer, O'Shea, Oviedo, Gibson, Rodwell, Larsson, Januzaj, Defoe, Borini. 

    Subs: Mannone, Djilobodji, Khazri, Lescott, Ndong, Manquillo, Honeyman. 

    Sunderland XIImage source, .

    Burnley are unchanged from the team that lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend. 

    But midfielder Steven Defour returns to the bench, having recovered from a hamstring injury.

    Burnley XI:  Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Boyd, Barton, Hendrick, Arfield, Barnes, Gray. 

    Subs: Flanagan, Vokes, Brady, Defour, Robinson, Westwood, Tarkowski.

    Burnley XIImage source, .
  8. Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 18 March 2017

    Sunderland v Burnley (15:00 GMT)

    Sunderland chairmanImage source, Getty Images

    David Moyes and Sunderland are adrift. Six points from landfall and a comfy armchair by the fireside, the waves still crashing on deck. It's all hands to the pump.  

    Beaten in their last three matches, the Premier League's bottom side can do themselves a huge favour in the battle against relegation with three points at home today.

    Burnley are the visitors to the Stadium of Light, and Sean Dyche's side are yet to win on the road this season. 

    Fancied by many for the drop themselves, the Clarets are lording it up in 12th - no looking over the shoulder required. 

    But still, there's motivation enough - they are five games from becoming the worst away team in Premier League history...

    Burnley fansImage source, EPA