Bournemouth v Sunderland preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Bournemouth host Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday 18th October, with kick-off at 2pm, in a Premier League meeting between two sides desperate for a lift in the table.
There's plenty at stake given where both clubs currently sit. Bournemouth are 19th with just three points from six games, while Sunderland are only just above them in 18th on four points. As talkSPORT notes, there has been only one league win between the two sides in 12 games so far this season, underlining just how big three points would be for whoever comes out on top.
Form has been tough for both teams. Bournemouth's recent run reads draw, loss, loss, win, draw, with their last Premier League outing a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Chelsea before turning attentions to the Europa League, where they beat Sturm Graz 3-0. Sunderland's sequence is draw, loss, loss, win, loss, having also lost their most recent league game, 2-0 away to Brighton, before picking up a Europa League win over Torreense. Football365 confirms the game kicks off at 2pm on the Sunday, with build-up on Sky Sports+ from 12.30pm and commentary also available on BBC Radio 5.
Both sides go into the weekend having come through midweek European commitments, as talkSPORT points out, with Bournemouth and Sunderland both involved in Europa League action on Thursday before this Premier League clash. That quick turnaround could be a factor in team selection from both benches.
On the team news front, Sports Mole have been keeping track of the injury and suspension picture for both sides ahead of the match (Sports Mole), while also running the rule over possible lineups for Bournemouth (Sports Mole) and assessing how Sunderland boss Le Bris might set his side up, including a decision over Brobbey (Sports Mole). There's a boost on the home front too, with the Bournemouth Echo reporting that the Cherries are "confident" that Scott will return from injury earlier than expected, which would be timely news for the home side (Bournemouth Echo).
With both teams well off the pace set at the top of the table by Manchester City and Arsenal, this has the look of a genuine relegation six-pointer so early in the season, and neither Bournemouth nor Sunderland will want to be left looking over their shoulder after the final whistle.
You can follow all the action from the Vitality Stadium when Bournemouth v Sunderland kicks off at 2pm UK time on Sunday 18th October.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.