Burnley vs Sunderland; The FA Cup Third Round
Burnley vs Sunderland. The FA Cup Third Round.
Turf Moor.
Burnley v Sunderland preview: Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson miss out
Tuesday 17 January 2017 19:39, UK
Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are both likely to miss out as Burnley host Sunderland in a FA Cup third-round replay.
The Premier League rivals were unable to find a goal between them as a crowd of just 17,632 at the Stadium of Light watched them slug out a 0-0 draw earlier this month.
Both sides have their sights set on Premier League survival, but the Clarets can arguably afford to have more of a go in the cup as they sit 10th in the table, 11 points clear of Sunderland in 19th.
Sean Dyche made six changes for the original goalless draw between the two teams and may make roughly the same number again for the replay.
But unlike some fellow Premier League managers who have come in for criticism after making wholesale changes to their FA Cup line-ups, Dyche insisted his own alterations will prove anything but disrespectful to the competition.
Dyche said: "I enjoyed the performance (in the first game) - a lot was made of it not being a good game but I was certainly pleased with my players.
"We made enough chances to have won the game and we've got to try and do it again. If I make changes it is because I believe in our squad and there is a better depth to our squad than we have had in the past."
Team news
Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are set to miss out for Burnley.
Both players picked up hamstring injuries in the first game at the Stadium of Light and despite making good progress neither player is likely to be risked.
Clarets boss Sean Dyche is set to make a number of changes with Nick Pope once again likely to be given a start in place of Tom Heaton in goal.
Sunderland boss David Moyes has few fresh options to consider for the match.
Full-back Billy Jones was an unused substitute for Saturday's 3-1 Premier League defeat by Stoke after recovering from a hamstring problem and could feature, but midfielder Steven Pienaar (calf) and striker Victor Anichebe (hamstring) remain doubts.
Moyes is yet to decide whether he will throw any of his young players in at the deep end, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defender Jan Kirchhoff, midfielder Paddy McNair and striker Duncan Watmore (all knee), as well as midfielders Lee Cattermole (hip) and Lynden Gooch (ankle), are still sidelined.
Opta stats
The Clarets have been eliminated from five of their last seven FA Cup third round replays, however just one of those defeats has come post-2010 (v Tottenham in 2015).
Sunderland, meanwhile, have been defeated in each of their last two FA Cup replays against top-flight opposition (Blackburn in 2009 and Everton in 2012).
Burnley have won just one of their last 14 FA Cup games against top-flight opposition (D4 L9).
The Blacks Cats have netted just two goals in their last five FA Cup meetings against fellow Premier League sides.
Charlie's prediction
The game which neither of them want. You have to go with Burnley at home right now and I think Sean Dyche will make fewer changes.
Charlie predicts: 2-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)