Sunderland v Bournemouth preview: Relegation looms for hosts
Saturday 29 April 2017 13:56, UK
Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League could be confirmed if they lose to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Sunderland are 12 points from safety with just 15 to play for, so will be relegated if they fail to match Hull's result against Southampton.
Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Wednesday was their seventh loss in their last nine matches.
And manager David Moyes admitted: "We will need a really good run of results for things to go our way. But while there's a chance we will try and win.
"It's at home and we have a chance because we've played quite well in recent games. We'll take that into it and hope it goes our way."
Bournemouth are currently on 38 points, seven clear of the relegation zone, having ended a four-match winless run with a 4-0 win over Middlesbrough last weekend.
"We are not safe until it is mathematically done," said manager Eddie Howe. "We would love to get over 40 points this weekend, that is the one every one talks about, then we can move on from there."
Team news
Sunderland are waiting on the fitness of Lee Cattermole, Darron Gibson, Jack Rodwell and Jason Denayer.
Midfielder Sebastian Larsson sits out as he completes his three-match ban, while full-back Bryan Oviedo (hamstring) remains on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore (both knee).
Bournemouth will be without midfielder Dan Gosling because of a calf problem, so Lewis Cook could be drafted into the team after coming off the bench against Middlesbrough.
On-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is out for the season after suffering a fractured leg, while Andrew Surman, forward Callum Wilson, goalkeeper Adam Federici and defender Rhoys Wiggins all continue their recovery from knee injuries.
Opta stats
Sunderland have lost only one of their nine previous meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions, winning five and drawing three.
Bournemouth's solitary victory over Sunderland came in their first Premier League clash back in September 2015 (2-0), with goals from Wilson and Matt Ritchie securing the points.
Sunderland have had a player sent off in two of their three Premier League matches against the Cherries - Younes Kaboul in September 2015 and Steven Pienaar in November 2016.
Howe's team have won only two away Premier League games in the last 12 months (W2 D5 L12) - 3-0 vs Swansea in December 2016 and 1-0 vs Stoke in November 2016.
Josh King (14 goals) needs just one more goal to become only the second Norwegian player in Premier League history to reach 15 goals in a single Premier League season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (18 goals in 1996/97 and 17 goals in 2001/02).
Sunderland fans have seen their side win just three times in 17 attempts at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season (W3 D5 L9) - all three of those victories came within the space of 29 days (November 19 - December 17).
Since December 13 2011, Sunderland have conceded the first goal in 48 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light and have won only one of these matches (W1 D13 L34) - this solitary win came against Chelsea in May 2016.
Paul Merson's prediction
Sunderland are down. It might not be mathematically confirmed just yet but they are gone. It was a bad result against Middlesbrough.
They have to go all-out for the win on Saturday and they are not good enough at the back to pull off that kind of attacking style.
That doesn't mean I agree Moyes has to go. It's a case of be careful what you wish for. He's a good manager and he's been dealt a hand without proper investment.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
Betting
Bournemouth are the favourites at 11/8 with Sky Bet, with Sunderland 9/5 for the victory while the draw is priced at 5/2. Sunderland are heavily favoured to finish rock bottom of the Premier League at 1/20 while Howe's men are 7/4 for a top-half finish. Jermain Defoe is the 4/1 favourite to score first for Sunderland, while King is considered the main threat for the Cherries at 9/2.
