Burnley vs Sunderland. Premier League.
Turf MoorAttendance21,124.
Saturday 31 December 2016 14:46, UK
Burnley are without record-signing Jeff Hendrick for Saturday's Premier League visit of Sunderland through suspension.
The Clarets midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Boxing Day, where Andre Gray scored a late winner.
And having picked up 19 points at home this season, Burnley will hope their impressive form at Turf Moor continues when they welcome Sunderland.
Meanwhile, David Moyes' side were hit by the news that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will be out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, and Vito Mannone is expected to step in for the Black Cats.
The visitors have lost just once in their last 18 league meetings with Burnley, winning ten and drawing seven.
Burnley midfielder Dean Marney will also take a fitness test after limping out of the Boxing Day win over Middlesbrough with a knock.
Defender Matt Lowton is available again after serving a one-match ban.
Sunderland midfielder Adnan Januzaj is available after being ineligible against his parent club, while full-back Javier Manquillo and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) and fellow midfielder Steven Pienaar (calf) have returned to training.
Lee Cattermole (hip), Lynden Gooch (ankle), Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee) are still out.
Burnley's only Premier League win against Sunderland came in their first game against them in September 2009. David Nugent scored twice for the Clarets from the bench in a 3-1 win at Turf Moor.
Sunderland kept clean sheets in both league games against Burnley in 2014-15 - the last time they managed three successively against them was in 1895.
Burnley haven't ended a calendar year with a defeat since 2012 - they drew their final league game in both 2013 and 2014 before ending 2015 with a 4-0 win over Bristol City.
Sunderland have not ended a calendar year with a league victory since 2007. In the eight years since, they have picked up four draws and four defeats in their final league game of the year.
Only Sunderland's opponents Burnley (two) have scored fewer away Premier League goals than the Black Cats (five) this season.
The Clarets have earned 19 points in their opening 10 home Premier League games - they were the last newly promoted team to earn as many points in their first 10 games, doing so in 2009-10.
Jermain Defoe has had a hand in four of Sunderland's five away Premier League goals this season (three goals, one assist).
Only Tottenham (seven) and Chelsea (eight) have won more Premier League home games than Burnley this season (six).
The Black Cats have won only one of their last 10 away visits to newly promoted sides (D4 L5), winning 3-2 at Norwich last season.
I like Burnley at home. They'll give anybody a game and will make it difficult. They had a great result against Middlesbrough despite it not being the best game. They took Arsenal to the 90th minute and gave Man City a game. 19 points at home is phenomenal.
Sunderland got beaten by Man Utd, which is no disgrace, but with Burnley at home - if they win this they won't be far off from being safe. However, if their home form starts to turn then they are in major trouble.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Burnley are 13/10 favourites to see out 2016 with victory over Sunderland at Turf Moor on Saturday. The visitors are 9/4 to bounce back from defeat at Manchester United with three points on their return to the north-west. It's 21/10 to end all square. Burnley edged out Middlesbrough 1-0 on Boxing Day and are 2/1 to win this one 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, and 11/4 to win by exactly one goal.
Andre Gray heads Sam Vokes in the first goalscorer betting, with the Burnley pair available at 5/1 and 11/2 respectively. Jermain Defoe is 13/8 to add to his eight Premier League goals this season in Saturday's clash.
