Sunderland vs Burnley: Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Barry Dixon | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 9:24 AM ET

Sunderland take on Burnley at the Stadium of Light on Monday night, and we have the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Premier League Clash. The Black Cats will be hoping to bounce back after their disappointing defeat at West Ham last time out, and a victory here would see them climb to eighth in the table. Burnley are without a win in their last 14 league games and are 11 points from safety, but have drawn their last three against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

Sunderland vs Burnley: Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups

Sunderland Injury and Team News

Captain Granit Xhaka has been ruled out for up to three weeks with an ankle injury. Winger Bertrund Traore picked up an injury during AFCON and is expected to be unavailable for another two weeks. New signing Melker Ellberg, who signed on Sunday, is ineligible for the game.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris spoke about Granit Xhaka’s injury and how the rest of his team must step up. He said: “Without Granit, we have to define a new setup ahead of a challenging period, and we need those challenges to grow. We can’t replace Granit directly, because even the best teams in the world don’t have this type of player.

“There’s different kinds of leaders in the group, and I’m sure people will step up. Our midfielders and centre-backs are so important in stepping up as leaders. We don’t know what the pathway will be, but we have the players, and we are ready for the challenges.”

Burnley Injury and Team News

Burnley have several players missing for the game. Josh Cullen will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, and Connor Roberts remains sidelined with an achilles injury. Other long-term absentees include defender Jordan Beyer, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, and Zeki Amdouni. Mike Tresor suffered an ankle injury against Newcastle and remains on the injured list.

Better news for The Clarets is that new loan signing James Ward-Prowse is available; however, his lack of game time this season may see him start from the bench. Joe Worrall and Zian Flemming, who have been missing since Christmas, are available for selection again.

Burnley boss Scott Parker says he and his team are not focusing on the league table at the moment. “If you look at that table, it doesn’t look pretty, but look at the fixtures coming up and ask yourself: ‘Can you pick up some points and get some positive results?’

“Things can change very quickly and we’ve seen that over the course of this year. So that’s how we go about it now and have no focus on the table at the moment.”