Friday night’s Championship action sees a crucial battle in the race for Premier League promotion at the start of 2025 as second-place Burnley play host to Sunderland, currently in 4th spot.
Football tipster James O’Rourke has dived into the markets for four value picks for a Friday evening Bet Builder as the Black Cats land in Lancashire. Let’s get his Burnley v Sunderland betting tips.
Burnley v Sunderland Bet Builder tips
Under 2.5 goals
Both teams to score: No
Jobe Bellingham to be shown a card
Sunderland over 2.5 corners
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Friday, 17th January, 8pm
WHERE: Turf Moor, Burnley
TV: Sky Sports Football Mina Event/Football
Under 2.5 goals
This Championship top-four battle has all the makings of being a very tactical affair. Burnley are one of those outfits where the opposition tend to change their tactics for, in a bid to be harder to beat. This can sometimes frustrate The Clarets, and Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris will be aware of that. The visitors would gladly take a draw, and although they won’t just sit back for the whole game, they will get bodies behind the ball and aim to play on the break when possible.
Goals aren’t ever a guarantee when Burnley are involved anyway. Their Championship contests this season average 1.54 goals; the lowest for any side in the division. A strong defensive record is a big reason for this, given they’ve shipped only nine league goals all campaign! All of their eight season meetings versus the current top-seven have all finished with no more than two goals scored. It is another example of the anticipated tactical clash that is set to play out on Friday.
There are similarities with Sunderland, regarding their encounters against the other top teams this season. Four of their seven matches against the current top-seven either ended 1-0 either way or 0-0. First and foremost, they will pay respect to Burnley, but they know they have the ability to frustrate them. Four bottom-half teams have been to Turf Moor and earned a 0-0 this season, proving they can be stifled and frustrated.
Both teams to score: No
A case has been made for not too many goals occurring in this fixture and therefore one can assume both teams to score isn’t screaming out as a strong possibility either! We’ve already touched on how the big matches this season, involving the in the top-seven, have often been low-scoring clashes when Burnley and/or Sunderland have been involved. This is another battle which gives the impression one goal could be enough to win it.
We’ve also hinted how Burnley can be denied at home against a certain type of defensive opponent. Those who get bodies back behind the ball will deny them the space they thrive upon. This is why Stoke, Derby, Preston and QPR claimed a clean sheet away to Scott Parker’s side. Out of possession, Sunderland will sit in a low block and ultimately not give Burnley what they want to excel. They have the pace and skill to charge forward themselves, which is what separates the visitors from those bottom-half clubs.
No team in the team has had fewer of their league games feature both teams scoring than Burnley. The Clarets have also only scored two or more in four of their 12 home league fixtures. They know how to edge out a game if they have to, plus Sunderland will know playing too open will not suit them at all. A tight match is expected.
Jobe Bellingham to be shown a card
Jobe Bellingham signed for Sunderland as an all-out attack-minded player a few years ago, however he has moulded into the complete midfielder. Le Bris demands certain responsibilities from the former Birmingham man, to contribute not just going forward, but defensively, too. Clearly he is someone that much prefers to get forward, but he will do a job for the team. This is proved by the fact he ranks second in the squad for tackles won in league action and second for ball recoveries. Bellingham is an all-action player.
That may be, but it doesn’t mean he won’t slip up from time-to-time and fall foul to the referee. The 19-year-old has already been booked six times in the Championship this season, with only two of his teammates managing more. Those are, right back, Trai Hume, and right winger, Patrick Roberts. Bellingham will be called into doing plenty of off-the-ball work in this tough away assignment and will have to be switched on and fully focused. That won’t be easy, and we’re hoping he makes one too many offences, so he ends up in the officials notebook.
Interestingly, all bar one of his yellow cards this season have been in away games. At home he has more license to roam into advanced areas, but on the road he has to be disciplined, which possibly frustrates as it takes something out of his game.
Sunderland over 2.5 corners
Although earning a draw here would not be a bad outcome for Sunderland, they will retain the ambition of wanting more. Therefore, they can expect to contribute offensively to this match. After all, they are fourth in the table and three points off the top for a reason! Furthermore, they’ve actually netted more goals than Burnley in the league and possess a greater xG figure.
Counter attacks present the chance to get forward quickly and expose space, which can often be located in the wide areas. Parker wants his full backs high up the pitch, especially in home games, so The Black Cats may look to work the ball into these zones when they get a chance. Doing so increases the prospect of corners, something they are well versed in earning such opportunities.
Le Bris’ men average 5.5 corners in the league, and focusing just on away clashes that figure only dips to 5.15. They’ll have to work hard for corners, as Burnley only concede 3.81 on average, amongst the lowest for any side in the division. However, they’ll push to win and Sunderland are too good offensively to keep quiet for long.
Burnley v Sunderland Bet Builder tips
Under 2.5 goals
Both teams to score: No
Jobe Bellingham to be shown a card
Sunderland over 2.5 corners
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 9/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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