Sunderland face Burnley this weekend as the sides battle for the FOURTH time this season.
The less said about the first meeting the better, as Andre Gray took centre stage with a ruthless treble that sealed a big win for Sean Dyche’s men.
An Emirates FA Cup double followed as goalless draw at the Stadium of Light set up a Turf Moor return, but on similar territory it was a similar story as the Clarets emerged victorious.
However, a return to Wearside may just see the pendulum fall in Sunderland’s favour.
Often unbeatable at home, Burnley’s away record is unfathomable when compared with Dyche’s side picking up just two points on the road all season.
David Moyes will be hoping his side can take full advantage of the Clarets’ away-day hoodoo, and, following a 0-0 draw earlier this season, the Black Cats are unbeaten in eight at home against the Lancashire-base side.
Five of those meetings ended in Sunderland wins and the Clarets last win on Wearside – in any competition – came way back in the 1978-79 season.
But away form and Wearside woe isn’t the only thing against Burnley entering the game, with the Clarets winning just one PL game in March – ever – while holding the worst points per-game ratio in this month of any side in the history of the competition.
Jermain Defoe has scored in each of his last two PL appearances against the Clarets, with his very first Sunderland goal coming against the Dyche’s side in January 2015.
But Burnley have a striker of their own and, like Defoe, he enjoys playing in this fixture.
Step up, Andre Gray.
The former Luton Town striker became the first Burnley player to score a PL hat-trick when he bagged a treble against the Black Cats on New Year’s Eve, with the 25-year-old netting again when the sides met two weeks later.
But despite the threat posed by Gray, the omens are good for Sunderland.
Over to you, Lads.