Sunderland face a must-win match on Saturday when they host Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats won the reverse fixture 2-1 in November at Dean Court with goals from Victor Anichebe and Jermain Defoe. Last season Bournemouth won their home match against Sunderland before recording a 1-1 away draw.
Sunderland are at the bottom of the Premier League table and they have to win at least four of their remaining five matches if they want to survive in the Premier League. That is quite unlikely considering that they have won just five league matches all season, but they will surely do their best to keep the hopes alive. Sebastian Larsson is suspended for this match, while Paddy McNair, Duncan Watmore, Jan Kirchhoff and Bryan Oviedo are injured.
Bournemouth have secured their Premier League status for another season, they are seven points above the relegation zone with four matches left after beating Middlesbrough 4-0 last time out. They can relegate Sunderland if they win the match, but they will probably be happy with avoiding defeat. Callum Wilson, Adam Federici, Andrew Surman, Jack Wilshere and Dan Gosling are injured and won't be able to play on Saturday.
Probable line-ups:
Sunderland: Pickford - Jones, Denayer, O'Shea, Manquillo - Ndong, Cattermole, Rodwell - Khazri, Defoe, Anichebe
Bournemouth: Boruc - Francis, Francis, S.Cook, Daniels - Fraser, Arter, L. Cook, Pugh - King - Afobe
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Sunderland win - 3.00
Draw - 3.60
Bournemouth win - 2.40
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