Bournemouth – Sunderland

Bournemouth host Sunderland in what promises to be a tightly contested clash at the Vitality Stadium, with both sides desperate for points to climb out of the lower reaches of the table. The Cherries sit 15th with three points from four games, having failed to win yet but keeping their goal difference respectable at ‑1 after scoring six and conceding seven. Sunderland, a notch higher in 14th place, sit on four points after a solitary victory and a draw, but their defensive frailties are evident in a ‑2 goal difference, having netted three and let in five. The two clubs have met only sparingly in recent seasons, each encounter often decided by narrow margins, so the upcoming showdown could well swing the momentum for either side as they battle to avoid the relegation zone.