Match Preview: Sunderland v Burnley (From The Northern Echo)

Match Preview: Sunderland v Burnley

5:01pm Friday 16th April 2010 in

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SUNDERLAND
Gordon
Hutton Turner Mensah Ferdinand
Henderson Meyler Cana Malbranque
Campbell Bent

Nugent Fletcher Paterson
Cork Alexander Elliott
Fox Duff Cort Mears
Jensen
BURNLEY

Sunderland subs (from): Carson (gk), Bardsley, Da Silva, Kilgallon, McCartney, Richardson, Zenden, Jones, Benjani.
Burnley subs (from): Weaver (gk), Caldwell, Bikey, Carlisle, Thompson, Jordan, Eagles, Blake.

SUNDERLAND: Lee Cattermole is unavailable after picking up a calf injury in last weekend's defeat at West Ham. The Stockton-born midfielder has suffered a number of problems in recent months, and might not be risked again this season. Andy Reid (hamstring) is definitely out of the rest of the campaign. John Mensah and Lorik Cana both returned to training this week and are expected to start this afternoon.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Cattermole (calf), Reid (hamstring)
Last five league games: LWLDW
Leading league scorer: Bent 22
Next game: vs Hull (A) 24/04/10

BURNLEY: Former Sunderland centre-half Steven Caldwell is pushing for a return against his former club after being ruled out since December with an abdominal problem. Caldwell was a late substitute in last weekend's win at Hull, but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again with boss Brian Laws expected to name an unchanged side. Chris McCann is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: McCann (knee)
Last five league games: WLLLL
Leading league scorer: Fletcher 8
Key Player: Graham Alexander - Given his performance at Hull, Sunderland cannot afford to give the Burnley skipper a chance from the penalty spot.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
League head to head: Sunderland 39, Burnley 33, Draws 25
Referee: Howard Webb (Rotherham) G35 Y126 R4 Ave: 3.71
Last Sunderland game: vs Stoke (H) 01/02/10 D0-0 Y5 R0
Odds: H4/7; A5/1; D14/5

It's a fact: Sunderland have already scored more home goals than in any of their previous seasons in the top-flight.
Comment by Paul Fraser: Burnley might be desperate for points, but Sunderland should have too much in them.
Prediction: 2-0