Sunderland were one of the league’s strongest away sides last season

Burnley welcome Sunderland to Turf Moor on Saturday in the Premier League, with both clubs looking to make early statements in the season. Burnley are back in the top flight under Scott Parker and enter this game having lost 3-0 at Tottenham on the opening weekend.

Sunderland, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League in style with a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light.

Burnley’s strength last year came from their incredible home record. They were unbeaten in 23 Championship games at Turf Moor, winning 14 and drawing 9, and conceded just 8 goals. However, the underlying data was less emphatic.

Sunderland, by contrast, were one of the league’s strongest away sides last season, collecting 33 points, the forth best record, though their xPTS of 29.69 placed them sixth. They averaged 1.0 goal per away game but also conceded 1.13, highlighting their tendency to be involved in tight contests.

At home last weekend they showed clinical edge, scoring three times against West Ham despite only having 37% possession. Importantly, they created the game’s two big chances and converted them both, while limiting West Ham to low-quality shots.

Burnley have lost key figures since promotion, with captain Josh Brownhill departing on a free and James Trafford returning to Manchester City. Their attack still looks light, with Lyle Foster leading the line but little depth beyond him.

Sunderland, in contrast, have added Premier League experience through Granit Xhaka and Reinildo Mandava, alongside young talents like Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki. That mix of youthful energy and seasoned quality gives them a different dimension this season.