Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Sat 23 August 2025 14:00, UK

Regis Le Bris has named his Sunderland starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley.

Life back in the Premier League got off to an excellent start when Sunderland secured a 3-0 victory at home to West Ham last weekend.

Now, attentions turn to Turf Moor for an away encounter with Burnley, which could prove to be one of the toughest opponents they face this season.

Both Burnley and Sunderland are among the favourites for relegation, and Le Bris has made a bold call for this encounter.

Noah Sadiki starts for Sunderland

Since arriving this summer, Noah Sadiki has been a hit for Sunderland, and videos of him signing Wise Men Say immediately increased his reputation.

Sadiki was excellent against West Ham, but Le Bris’s decision to start him against the Clarets is bold.

Burnley will force a lot of possession on Sunderland, and this is the type of game that Enzo Le Fee would thrive in, given his ability to create something out of nothing.

To leave such a creative player out of the starting 11 in a game like this is an interesting decision.

The Frenchman has made just one change to his starting 11 from the win against the Irons, with Omar Alderete replacing Jenson Seelt, who picked up a knock last time out.

There’s no room for Nordi Mukeiele in the squad, who is still likely getting up to speed after his move from PSG.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Diarra, Sadiki, Adingra, Talbi, Mayenda

• Read more: Sunderland can strike £17m+ deal to sign forward likened to Gareth Bale

Burnley away is a tough, tough encounter

Sunderland beat West Ham because of the way the Hammers played.

Graham Potter’s side wanted to dominate possession, allowing Sunderland to hit them on the counter, which was where their success was found in the Championship.

However, Burnley will sit deep at large and force the Black Cats into more possession-based football, which hasn’t always been their strength.

Given the fact that both teams will be near the bottom of the league, this is already a huge game, and certainly one that Sunderland need to come out on top of.

Players like Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra will be tasked with carving out chances for their fellow attacking teammates, and it is going to be crucial that whoever falls on the end of the move has the ability to finish it off.

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