Sunderland travel to Burnley in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland lost to Stoke and Burnley beat Reading in the FA Cup. Sunderland made 5 changes to their starting 11 and made a poor start with Dan Neil passing back to Moore who had to control the ball on his chest and put Luke O’Nien under pressure in the box to concede a penalty. Tom Cannon gave Stoke the lead from the spot. The Black Cats started the second half with more energy and levelled after a great through ball from Adil Aouchiche and a first time finish from Milan Aleksic to score his first goal for the club. In extra-time, substitute Niall Ennis took advantage of a mistake by the home defence to grab his first goal for 11 months and ensure a first victory for new Potters boss Mark Robins. Harrison Jones made his first start in midfield alongside Dan Neil and Chris Rigg. Salis Abdul Samed made his long-awaited debut, coming on as a substitute. Trey Ogunsuyi also made his debut as he replaced Mayenda in extra time. Aji Alese was carried off and could face a long time out. Defender Zak Johnson has joined Notts County on a temporary loan agreement. Huggins, Mundle, Browne, Watson & Poveda remain on the injured list. Burnley were also forced into extra time at Reading in the FA Cup, but 2 goals from Zian Flemming put the Clarets into the 4th round and stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games in all competitions. The Clarets have now lost just once in 24 games since a League Cup defeat against Wolves on 28 August. Jonjo Shelvey is currently training with the Clarets. Regis le Bris: "We started a bit slowly. After that we were in the game, we wanted to play. "After the first goal, with the team we had today we played good football and we tried until the end to score. "We deserved the equaliser and we could have probably won before full-time but it wasn't the case. In extra-time both teams were tired and that led to a mistake from us." Press conference: Scott Parker: "It was a deserved victory. The way we applied ourselves was first class given we made so many changes with players coming into the team who have not had a lot of football. "We started the game electric; we had a real intensity about us. They get the equaliser after a bit of a mistake from us, but then we had the other gear to go and win the game. "We carved open a lot of chances early on, but we probably didn't hit the target enough. We had some very good chances from some very, very good play. They come back into it in certain moments, but we went on to win comfortably in the end." Form: Match Appointments Referee: ANTHONY BACKHOUSE Assistant referees: Alex James and George Burn Fourth official: James Linington Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, O’Nien, Mepham, Hume, Neil, Jobe, Le Fée, Aouchiche, Roberts, Isidor Subs: Moore, Hjelde, Ballard, Samed, Rigg, Aleksic, Jones, Mayenda, Abdullahi. Injured: Huggins, Seelt, Browne, Mundle, Watson, Poveda, Alese. Burnley: (4-2-3-1) Trafford, Roberts, Egan-Riley, Estéve, Humphreys, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony, Brownhill, Sarmiento, Flemming. Subs: Barnes, Egan, Foster, Hladký, Koleosho, McDermott, Lucas Pires, Rodriguez, Worrall Injured: Benson, Redmond, Ramsey, Beyer, Agyei Suspended: Sonne, Hannibal Betting Odds: Sunderland 5/2 Burnley 23/20 Draw 21/10 Prutton Predicts: meh My two pence: A poor result and a major injury against Stoke so the less said the better. I’m hoping that Enzo le Fée makes his debut from the start or at the very least, from the bench. Burnley have the best defensive record in the league having conceded 9 goals in 26 games and have only lost 2 games. We are one of those teams to have beaten them though. I’m going for a 1-1 draw. Live Stream: Live on Sky Sports Football https://www.safc.com/live Ha’way the Lads
I agree with your estimation the Le Fée will start, he's good enough even if he hadn't played for six months ... ... it's like when an ex-pro drops in for the opposition when you're playing five-a-side Putting him in will totally f*ck Burnley up and Parker will try to get clever, something he's not so good at.
our toughest game left with Leeds away Burnley have only conceded 9 goals all season so we got to take our chances it a must not lose game be interesting to see what formation RLB plays for this game haway lads it our chance to move ahead of them and make the rest really take notice
Looking forward to this and like you think le fee will start, he knows regis and how he likes to play so a wk and a bit on the training pitch will hopefully see him start. Fancy a 2-0 scoreline to the lads hawaaaaaaay
I think that’s the team I’d go with too Genuinely believe it’ll be 0-0 I’d be happy with that but a win would be superb
Big game, score first and force them out we might just be able to pick them off, give up the first goal and it’s a long old night with their defence, would take a 0-0 right now
I would have Ballard in for 09 personally, if Ballard is up to speed that is. 1-1 draw for me. ELF hopefully will start.
I think he might start Ballard instead of Onien, personally I think Ballard and Mepham will be our 2 centre backs for the rest of the season when available. Wouldn't be surprised if he pushes Rigg out wide left and play Le Fee in the middle, with Aouchiche and Mayenda dropping to the bench.
My head says a tough 1-1 or 0-0 draw, my heart says a 2-0 win to us. Interesting if we will put Le Fee in from the start in what could be a very fast paced game, if he doesn't it's a huge option coming off the bench.
Got a ticket but won’t be saying much. Tricky game to keep quiet at I reckon. We need to start as though we’re half hour in. I have to say, I think we’ll win this, but we have to take chances and get behind them.
Even though o9's performances have dropped I'd definitely start him Ballard has been poor this season (because he can't get a run of games), I was hoping he would have been fit to start against Stoke to just blow the rustiness away Ballard and Mepham are paper seem a great fit, they need time together tho to prove whether they are our no1 combo. Not sure if starting against Birnley is the best place to see if it is, especially with Ballard being injured for a few weeks
We've picked up points in 6 of our last 10 visits to Turf Moor, winning 3 of them which isn't a bad record. Need to start well and if we do no reason why we can't notch an impressive double against these and launch ELFs career with us on the front foot. HTL.
I just don't trust Onien against the stronger teams in the league. He either loses possession in dangerous areas or commits stupid fouls to put us under pressure. Just my opinion but I don't see him being first choice come the end of the season
He was def poor against Sheff Utd away but was playing out of position. He was class against Leeds at home and did well against Burnley at home The issue I have with Ballard is he's looked sluggish when he's played this season and has made loads of mistakes - this is due to his injuries and not having a full preseason If Ballard and Mepham stay fit until the end of the season they'll be the 1st choice pairing fir sure
Great thread @RTB i think he will start ELF, I think this is winnable but have voted a draw as I voted with my head not heart. I know opinion is divided but I would start with 09 as opposed to Ballard who may be a bit ring rusty. We need to take our chances otherwise we draw or suffer a 1-0 defeat Hawaaaaaaaay
