Bournemouth faces Sunderland in a crucial Premier League match, marking the first league encounter between the teams since April 2017. The last meeting saw Bournemouth secure a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light, a win that confirmed Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League.
Team Performance Overview
Bournemouth has a mixed record against Sunderland, having won two of the four Premier League matches played (D1 L1). Historically, in their initial four meetings from 1988 to 1990, they struggled, managing only a single draw and three defeats.
Sunderland boasts an unbeaten home record in the Premier League this season, with three wins and three draws, totaling 12 points from six matches. Remarkably, this is just two points shy of their entire home tally from the previous season, where they collected 14 points in 19 games.
Bournemouth’s Away Struggles
On the other hand, Bournemouth has experienced difficulties in away games, suffering four losses in their last seven matches (W1 D2). This is equivalent to the number of defeats they faced in their previous 18 away games, which included seven wins and seven draws.
Scoring Statistics
- Sunderland’s matches this season have seen the fewest goals in the Premier League, a total of 25 (14 scored, 11 conceded).
- Only eight goals were scored in the first half of their games, also a league-low figure.
- Bournemouth’s games, in contrast, have featured significantly more goals, totaling 39 (19 scored, 20 conceded).
Notable Milestones and Player Highlights
Sunderland is at risk of reaching a dubious milestone. A defeat in this match would mark their 300th loss in Premier League history, making them the ninth team to achieve this. Fulham holds the record for the fewest games taken to reach 300 losses, with 682 matches.
Interestingly, Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, leads the league with a 79.3% save percentage. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo had a strong start to the season with nine goal involvements in his first seven appearances, yet he has not been able to score or assist in his last four outings.
Additionally, David Brooks of Bournemouth has struggled to convert his opportunities, recording the highest number of shots without scoring in the league. Out of 19 attempts, only four have been on target.
Future Implications
This match on the horizon is not just another game. It holds significant implications for both teams as they look to improve their standings in the league. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the dynamics unfold.
