Match Preview: Burton Albion v Sunderland - Can the Lads make it three from three?

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Tuesday 17th August 2021

(4th) Burton Albion v Sunderland (3rd)

Sky Bet League One

Pirelli Stadium

Kick-Off: 19:45

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Tickets & Match Coverage

Tickets: Tickets are now available online via SAFC here.

TV/Stream: Full live match coverage available via www.safc.com. Further information can be found here.

Radio: Full live match commentary available via BBC Radio Newcastle (not online)

Don’t forget to follow the blow-by-blow account of the game on the Roker Report Twitter feed (@RokerReport) and check out the player ratings after the full-time whistle at www.RokerReport.com!

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The build-up...

Saturday was the first time that Sunderland have won our first two domestic league fixtures since 1980, it was also the first time we’ve won our first three competitive fixtures of a season since 1925. So, an impressive start for Lee Johnson’s side is something we can all agree on.

We didn’t even manage two league wins to start the season when we got 105 points in 1998-99, but that kind of proves a point, it’s a good start. At the beginning of the 1925-26 season we won our first four, and it would be great to put that type of marker down in the early stages of this season - but it’s clearly not that easy.

On paper, we’ve had a tough start, and it’s proved to be that way. Wigan gave us a scare by taking the lead on the opening day and like any successful team, Lee Johnson’s side needed a bit of luck here and there on Saturday.

Burton will be no pushovers, but a second win on our travels in the space of three days would raise a few eyebrows across League One.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks like he’s picked up where he left off at Burton back in 2015. Two wins from two so far in League One are a potential early sign that Burton could be a team to watch this season.

In his first spell as manager Hasselbaink won the League Two title and was on the way to gaining promotion to the Championship the following season before QPR came calling, and you wouldn’t put it past him to get the ball rolling again.

The opening day victory at Shrewsbury Town was backed up an impressive win at the Pirelli Stadium against the bookies' pre-season title favourites, Ipswich Town. This could provide an early opportunity for either side to lay down a marker and show their credentials to stay the pace in the season ahead.

Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images

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League One Form...

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The Betting...

This time the bookies fancy an away win at 13/10 while Jimmy Floyd’s Burton are 9/4 to claim all three points with the draw at 11/5.

In terms of a final score, a 1-1 draw is favourite at 5/1, closely followed by a 1-0 Sunderland victory at 7/1, just ahead of a 1-0 home win and a goalless draw at 9/1.

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Last Time We Met... at the Pirelli Stadium

Saturday 20th February 2021

Sky Bet League One

Burton Albion 0-3 Sunderland

(Leadbitter 6’, Gooch 32’, Wyke 76’ - Earl sent-off for Burton 56’)

Sunderland: Burge, McLaughlin, Sanderson, O’Nien, Gooch, Leadbitter, (Scowen), Power (Maguire), Vokins (Jones), McGeady (Winchester), O’Brien, Wyke (Diamond) Substitutes not used: Matthews, Neil

MK Dons: Garratt, Brayford, Earl, Edwards, Carter, Bostwick, Smith (Taylor), Clare (Hamer), Akins (Fondop), Broom (Powell), Parker (Rowe) Substitutes not used: O’Hara, Mancienne

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Played for Both...

Sam Aiston

Burst onto the scene during the early part of the 1995-96 season, but suffered an injury at Huddersfield Town that seemed to halt his progress.

Struggled to make an impression as we were promoted to the Premier League and moved to Shrewsbury Town in 2000 where he spent five years.

Had a spell on-loan at Burton in 2007 while he was on the books at Northampton Town.

Photo by John Walton - PA Images via Getty Images

Lee Camp

No comment.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images

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