Burnley v Sunderland: Striker-light Clarets set for defeat

Scott Arfield’s 14th minute strike against Chelsea in Burnley’s Premier League opener hasn’t been added to in a further 345 top-flight minutes since.

So with top scorer of last season, Danny Ings joining Welsh international striker Sam Vokes on the Turf Moor wounded list, visiting Sunderland should be rubbing their collective paws.

Read on to sample our carefully selected trio of bets for the contest:

Sunderland to win @ 19/10

Although the Black Cats are winless themselves with four played, Gus Poyet’s charges will not get a better chance to collect a first three points on the road given their hosts distinct lack of cutting edge.

The mere fact Sunderland have scored at least once in three of their four league outings this season already gives them the edge in this contest, while they’ve only lost one of their last five top-flight away games, winning twice during that sequence.

Traditionally, Sunderland have prospered against the Turf Moor outfit as well, as Burnley have only recorded victory once in 12 meetings, losing half of those.

Team to score first: Sunderland @ 11/10

Having already outlined the Lancashire side’s travails in front of goal, it makes sense to point punters in the way of an opener from the Wearsiders.

Sunderland have made a habit of starting breezily in the opening games as well, twice locating the onion bag in the first five minutes, at the Hawthorns and latterly against Tottenham.

Sunderland to win 2-1 @ 9/1

Sunderland are one of only three teams in the highest division who have failed to keep a clean sheet after four games.

That defensive vulnerability is worth a stab at Burnley finding the net at some point during the 90, with Sunderland scoring twice being enough to claim the points.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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