Sunderland face a critical Premier League survival test away to Bournemouth this Sunday. The Black Cats, sitting 17th with just four points from six games, meet a Cherries side one place and one point below them at the Vitality Stadium. Their position is the result of a difficult start, having taken just one win and one draw from their six league matches, with a goal difference of minus six after scoring six and conceding twelve.
Manager Régis Le Bris has emphasised the need for the club's core values ahead of the fixture. "'Resilience, consistency, hard work are the values of the club'," Le Bris said. His side will need all three to improve a league record of one win, one draw and four defeats, which has left them 14 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Recent form and context
Sunderland's form has been mixed, with a 2-1 Europa League win at Torreense on Thursday providing a timely boost. Goals from Jules Ahoka and Noah Sadiki secured the victory, continuing a trend of scoring in four consecutive away matches. Yet they have also conceded in each of their last three outings, including a 2-0 home defeat to Brighton last weekend. Their recent Premier League form shows two wins and three losses from their last five games, a sequence that includes a heavy 5-3 defeat at Manchester City and a 1-0 victory over Hull City.
Bournemouth also enjoyed European success, beating Sturm Graz 3-0, but have struggled domestically. They have lost their last two Premier League games, including a 5-1 defeat at Chelsea. Historically, Sunderland hold the upper hand in this fixture, with six wins to Bournemouth's two from 12 previous meetings. At the Vitality Stadium, the Black Cats have won four of their six visits.
Team news and selection
Sunderland will be without the injured Romaine Mundle. Bournemouth have several absentees, with Alex Scott, Eli Junior Kroupi, Julián Araujo and Veljko Milosavljevic all sidelined, though Milosavljevic could return from a knee issue. Justin Kluivert and Amine Adli are available after appearing as substitutes in midweek.
Le Bris has faced Bournemouth twice before, recording one win and one draw. His team's immediate task is to convert their away scoring form into a much-needed league victory. The match kicks off at 14:00 on Sunday, 18 October, with both clubs desperate for points at the bottom of the table.
