Written by BillyTheKid
Sunderland’s First Visit Since November 2016
After our sixth draw home and away in Andoni Iraola’s time as our manager against West Ham, AFCB are on a seven-game unbeaten run. After two away games, the Cherries are home to Sunderland (the Black Cats) at Dean Court on Saturday at the earlier time of 12.30 pm. This game is being televised on TNT Sports.
AFC Bournemouth v Sunderland
AFCB Win
AFCB Win
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Draw
Draw
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Sunderland Win
Sunderland Win
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When our teams last met in November, it was both sides’ 13th game of the season. Sunderland won and were in 4th position on 22 points, AFCB 9th with 19 points. At the end of the year, after 18 games, Sunderland had dropped to 7th spot with 28 points and AFCB to 15th with 22 points. Going into this game, Sunderland are in 12th place with 36 points and AFCB in 8th spot with 38 points.
Since our game at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland’s manager Regis Le Bris side have not won away in the league. They have drawn 1-1 with Liverpool, 0-0 at Brighton and 1-1 with Spurs. In all four defeats, they have conceded three goals. They were 3-0 at Manchester City and Brentford, 3-1 against West Ham and 3- 0 against league leaders Arsenal 3-0.
At home, they beat Newcastle United 1-0 in the Tyne-Wear derby game. Crystal Palace 2-1 and Burnley 3-0. Drew with Leeds United 1-1 and goalless against Manchester City. Lost 0-1 against Liverpool and in their last game 1-3 against Fulham.
The last time our two sides met at Dean Court was in November 2016. The Cherries took an early11th minute lead through Dan Gosling, only for David Moyes’ team to equalise 22 minutes later through Victor Anichebe. Steven Pienaar was shown a second yellow card after 14 minutes of the second half. AFCB couldn’t take advantage of the one-man advantage and were punished when Adam Smith gave away a penalty, and Jermain Defoe put the spot kick away for a 1-2 victory.
In all our league home games against Sunderland, AFCB have W 1, D 0, L 3.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 2, D 3, L 6.
AFCB Team News
With no new injuries to report, AFCB have a strong squad going into this game.
AFCB Player To Watch
Think it has to be Rayan, an assist after coming on as a substitute, two goals and hit the post in his four games for us. From what we have seen, he can have that ‘one moment’ in a game when he leaves opposition players in his wake as he makes for the goal.
Sunderland Team News
Reinildo has been out injured, Nordi Mukiele and Jocelin Ta Bi were injured against Fulham. Brian Brobbey and Romaine Muncie also could be doubts.
Sunderland Player To Watch
Granit Xhaka had been out injured, and his last league game was the home win against Crystal Palace in January. Since he has been out, their results have been poor. He returned as a substitute for 19 minutes against Fulham. He has scored 1 goal and leads with 5 assists.
The Referee
Jarred Gillett is the man in the middle. He took our away game against Crystal Palace last October.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Sunderland. They had three home games (Burnley, Liverpool and Fulham) and one away game (Arsenal). Sunderland have gained 3 points, which is about right. The xG value for goals scored is 3.87, compared with 4 actual goals. Sunderland have conceded 7 goals, with xGc estimating 5.96 goals, which is a slight underperformance.
Goals Xg.jpg
Sunderland have had 4 different goal scorers (3 players with 1 goal each and an own goal). Four players have 1 assist each.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. In all games, Sunderland play with the keeper high (as exploited by Adams in the away game) and often have a band across the middle third.
Av Pos.jpg
The following plot compares the summary stats of Sunderland and AFCB over the last 4 games. Attacking statistics are in AFCB’s favour, being higher in all the metrics except big chances. Defensively, it is largely in Sunderland’s favour, apart from the most important, goals conceded, as despite having an xGc of 2 more, AFCB have conceded 5fewers goals. This is showing a large overperformance in preventing goals, a big turnaround from a couple of months ago, and is likely to be a case of luck being on our side.
Comparison.png
Possession is slightly more for AFCB, who have a slightly lower pass completion percentage. AFCB have created a higher proportion of chances created from set pieces,s but have conceded a much higher proportion of chances from set pieces, which is very high for the league.
Percentages.png
Your say…
Ice8cold said…
Will be an interesting game – been a while since we played Sunderland at home, they’re a decent side but very beatable, especially at home. The type of games we need to win if we want to qualify for Europe.
We were underwhelming against West Ham, so we’ll need to be better, and hopefully, Iraola back on the touchline is the medicine here. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…