Sunderland Manager Steve Bruce will expect his charges to maintain their great home form whilst Brian Laws will expect his Burnley team to fight for their lives with relegation beginning to look like a likelihood.
Sunderland had such a slump in the mid part of the season it is hard to believe that they have picked up enough points this season to be effectively safe with a handful of games to go, but such is their home form, with only two home defeats all season, that they deserve their retained status for this factor alone. Much has been down to the goalscoring exploits of Darren Bent, who is still pushing for an England place with 22 goals this season in the Premierleague. Sunderland have a fairly strong squad to pick from but injury doubts remain over the excellent but injury prone John Mensah. Mccartney and Reid will definitely miss out having both been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Brian Laws will certainly be feeling a little less pressured after finally getting a result, against fellow strugglers Hull City last weekend. The 4 – 1 result surprised a few and it might be just enough to give his players the hope they need to start performing well on a more regular basis. Burnley are still rooted in the relegation zone and they are still a full four points behind West Ham, who occupy the position just above the relegation zone.
Burnley probably regard this as one of their winnable games and they will no doubt give their all to find a result, but I feel that A Sunderland side famously strong at home with the cherry of guaranteed safety dangled in front of them will come away comfortable winners.
Verdict: Sunderland Home Win
Odds: 11/20
Bookmaker: Sporting Bet
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