AFC BOURNEMOUTH v SUNDERLAND
SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER (KO 3PM)
VITALITY STADIUM
PREMIER LEAGUE
Run the rule over Sunderland's next Premier League opponents, AFC Bournemouth.
Goalkeepers: Veteran stopper Arthur Boruc will line up against Sunderland on Saturday. The 36-year-old has started eight Premier League games this season cementing his place as the Cherries’ number one, with former Reading ‘keeper Adam Federici featuring on two occasions. Boruc has enjoyed a solid career making over 200 appearances for Celtic after moving to the UK from Legia Warsaw. He made 64 appearances for Fiorentina before moving to Southampton where he played 50 games in two seasons before moving to Bournemouth in 2014, helping the club win promotion before signing a permanent deal with Eddie Howe’s side.
Defenders: Bournemouth have a settled and solid defence with Simon Francis at the very heart of it. The club captain was instrumental in the Cherries’ rise from League One to Premier League and he will be a key player this weekend. Likewise, Charlie Daniels forms part of a back four which aided in the club’s journey up the football pyramid, with Adam Smith and Steve Cook also with the club for a number of years. A new face has also made an impact, Nathan Ake continuing his development on the south coast following a successful loan with Watford last season.
Midfielders: Jack Wilshere is starting to hit his stride after joining the Cherries on loan and he will aim to dictate the game when the Black Cats travel to the south coast. An Arsenal academy graduate, the former PFA Young Player of the Year is one of many midfield options for Howe, with Harry Arter, Charlie Daniels and Andrew Surman regularly featuring. Summer signing Lewis Cook is expected to miss up to three months but Dan Gosling has been a solid selection from the bench.
Forwards: Bournemouth made eight summer signings but the biggest saw Jordan Ibe arrive at the Vitality Stadium for £15m. Signing for a club record fee, Ibe has shown glimpses of his undoubtable talent but he is yet to complete 90 minutes in nine Premier League appearances. Benik Afobe, who scored against Sunderland last season, has regularly come off the bench with Callum Wilson spearheading the Cherries’ attack. The lively striker suffered a long-term injury against the Black Cats last season but has returned to form in the current campaign scoring three Premier League goals. Joshua King is also likely to feature having made seven starts in the top flight this season, scoring twice.
Team news
AFC Bournemouth
Brad Smith (foot), Lewis Cook (ankle) and Marc Pugh (hamstring) are unavailable.
Andrew Surman (hamstring) is also expected to miss out.
Sunderland
Seb Larsson and Vito Mannone have returned to training but are unlikely to feature as they focus on regaining fitness.
Lee Cattermole, Jan Kirchhoff and Fabio Borini are expected to miss out, but a full update from the treatment room will be available on safc.com on Friday morning.
Last time out
Middlesbrough 2-0 AFC Bournemouth (BBC Sport)
A brilliant solo goal from Gaston Ramirez helped Middlesbrough to a first win in eight Premier League games as they beat Bournemouth at the Riverside Stadium.
Ramirez blocked a shot and picked up the loose ball in his own half before he ended a storming run into the Bournemouth penalty area by cutting inside Andrew Surman and side-footing home.
Stewart Downing added Middlesbrough's second from close range after Alvaro Negredo nodded Adam Traore's cross to the far post.
Sunderland 1-4 Arsenal
A second-half fightback turned to dust at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland imploded against Arsenal following Jermain Defoe’s equalising penalty.
Alexis Sanchez’s clinical header handed the Gunners a 1-0 lead at the interval, but the Black Cats regrouped following the restart and Defoe levelled from the spot after Petr Cech hauled down Duncan Watmore.
It should have been the catalyst for Sunderland as Adnan Januzaj came off the bench and they went in search of a first Premier League win, but it was another substitution which turned the tide as Olivier Giroud took centre stage to net a quickfire double and seal victory.
Sanchez netted his third and Arsenal’s fourth shortly after.
Form (All competitions)
AFC Bournemouth: LLDWLWDWDL
Sunderland: LLDLLLDLLL
