Bournemouth host Sunderland at Vitality Stadium on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Premier League Matchweek 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm BST, with both clubs already under pressure to improve difficult starts to the domestic season.
Bournemouth enter the weekend 18th and still looking for their first Premier League victory under Marco Rose, while Sunderland sit one place above them in 17th. The Black Cats have only one league win and have lost their last three Premier League matches. The situation makes this an important early fixture at the lower end of the table.
Both teams played in the Europa League on Thursday. Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz 3-0 at home, while Sunderland needed a 93rd-minute Noah Sadiki goal to complete a 2-1 comeback away to Torreense in Portugal. The short recovery period and Sunderland's additional travel could influence Sunday's tempo.
Head-to-Head Summary
Sunderland have the stronger historical record in this fixture. Across 12 competitive meetings, the Black Cats have won six, Bournemouth have won two and four matches have ended level.
Focusing on the last 10 meetings produces a similar pattern. Sunderland have five victories, Bournemouth have two and three have finished as draws. Sunderland have also scored 13 goals to Bournemouth's 11 across those 10 games.
The most relevant evidence comes from last season. Sunderland recovered to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light in November 2025 before the teams drew 1-1 at Vitality Stadium in February 2026. Eliezer Mayenda gave Sunderland the lead in the latter meeting before Evanilson equalised for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth have therefore failed to beat Sunderland in their last three meetings, but the recent margins have been small. Two of the last three encounters finished level or were decided by a single goal.
Last 10 Meetings
February 28, 2026 — Premier League: Bournemouth 1-1 Sunderland
November 29, 2025 — Premier League: Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth
April 29, 2017 — Premier League: Sunderland 0-1 Bournemouth
November 5, 2016 — Premier League: Bournemouth 1-2 Sunderland
January 23, 2016 — Premier League: Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth
September 19, 2015 — Premier League: Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland
March 17, 1990 — League Division Two: Bournemouth 0-1 Sunderland
November 7, 1989 — League Cup: Bournemouth 0-1 Sunderland
October 24, 1989 — League Cup: Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth
October 7, 1989 — League Division Two: Sunderland 3-2 Bournemouth
The long gap between several of these fixtures means the older results have little tactical relevance. The two 2025-26 matches are much more useful, although squad and managerial changes also mean Sunday's encounter should be judged primarily on current form.
Bournemouth Current Form
Bournemouth's form presents a major contrast between domestic and European competition. Their last five competitive matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats, with eight goals scored and nine conceded.
They drew 2-2 with Brentford before beginning their first European campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad. A 1-0 home defeat against Liverpool followed, before Bournemouth suffered a heavy 5-1 loss at Chelsea after the international break.
Rose's side responded strongly on Thursday by beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in their first European home game. Evanilson headed Bournemouth ahead shortly before halftime, Rayan added the second and Álvaro Rodríguez converted a stoppage-time penalty. Bournemouth allowed only one shot on target and generated substantially more attacking threat than the Austrian side.
The challenge is translating that European form into the Premier League. Bournemouth have taken only three points from their opening six league games, drawing three and losing three. They have scored seven league goals and conceded 13, with the five goals allowed at Chelsea worsening an already concerning defensive record.
Sunderland Current Form
Sunderland's recent results have also been inconsistent. Their last five competitive matches have produced two wins and three defeats, with six goals scored and 10 conceded.
They lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal before beginning their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar. A 5-3 defeat at Manchester City followed, with Sunderland showing attacking quality but struggling badly to contain City's forward play.
Their first Premier League game after the international break brought another setback. Brighton won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland unable to take advantage after the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Le Bris admitted afterwards that his team lacked composure and quality in the final third.
Thursday's Europa League trip to Torreense at least restored some momentum. Sunderland fell behind to Volnei Feltes' long-range goal but equalised through Jules Ahoka before Sadiki scored the winner in the 93rd minute. Le Bris had rotated heavily before introducing several senior players in the second half.
The Black Cats therefore arrive with two European wins from two but three consecutive Premier League defeats. That difference between continental and domestic results closely resembles Bournemouth's own start.
Bournemouth Team News and Injuries
Bournemouth received an important boost this week with Justin Kluivert and Amine Adli returning from injury. Both came off the bench against Sturm Graz after being cleared for limited minutes. Kluivert had been out since suffering a muscle problem against Real Sociedad, while Adli had not played competitively this season because of a calf injury.
Alex Scott will not be available. Rose has indicated that the midfielder's injury is less serious than initially feared, but he is still expected to miss the next couple of weeks.
Rose rotated parts of his team on Thursday, with Evanilson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lewis Cook, Tyler Adams and Marcus Tavernier among the starters. Rayan, Kluivert and Adli were then used from the bench, giving Bournemouth several attacking options ahead of Sunday's match.
The short turnaround remains important. Bournemouth played at home on Thursday, which removes the travel burden Sunderland faced, but several likely Premier League starters were still involved.
Sunderland Team News and Injuries
Sunderland have more uncertainty around their attacking selection. Wilson Isidor did not travel to Portugal because of what has been described as a minor injury and is being assessed day by day. Brian Brobbey, who has been recovering from a hamstring problem, travelled and was on the bench against Torreense. Le Bris has indicated that the Dutch striker is ready to play.
Thomas Meunier has been ruled out of the Bournemouth match. Dan Ballard is another injury concern after sustaining a problem while playing for Northern Ireland during the international window.
There is better news regarding Habib Diarra. The midfielder travelled to Portugal and is expected to be available for his first minutes since August, giving Le Bris another option during a demanding sequence of fixtures.
Le Bris made seven changes for the Torreense match before calling on senior players including Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo during the second half. That rotation should leave several regulars relatively fresh despite Sunderland's travel back from Portugal.
Tactical Match Analysis
Bournemouth's biggest question is whether they can reproduce their European confidence in a league match where they are expected to take greater responsibility. Rose's side have enough energy and pace to press Sunderland aggressively, particularly with the visitors coming off a European away trip.
Evanilson provides the central reference point. His movement was effective against Sturm Graz, and Bournemouth can use Tavernier, Gannon-Doak, Rayan or Kluivert around him to attack the spaces between Sunderland's wing-backs and centre-backs. The return of Kluivert also gives Rose a player comfortable drifting inside from wider positions.
Sunderland may be more comfortable if Bournemouth push aggressively forward. Le Bris' side have players capable of attacking in transition, while Xhaka and Le Fée can play forward quickly once possession is recovered. Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana also provide direct running from wider areas.
Central midfield could become particularly important. Bournemouth are without Scott but can use Adams, Cook and Ryan Christie, while Sunderland have Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée and potentially Diarra. Sunderland will want Xhaka to control the pace and prevent Bournemouth's pressure from turning the game into repeated transitions.
The home side must also manage Sadiki's forward runs. His late arrival into the penalty area produced Sunderland's winner in Portugal, and his energy gives the Black Cats another threat beyond their centre-forward.
Set pieces could influence a tight match as well. Sunderland recently appointed Thor Herdal as a specialist set-piece coach, while Bournemouth created important moments from dead balls against Sturm Graz, including the build-up to Rayan's goal and the stoppage-time penalty.
Key Players to Watch
Evanilson
Evanilson enters the fixture after scoring Bournemouth's historic first European goal at Vitality Stadium. His header against Sturm Graz showed both his movement and finishing quality, while he also scored the equaliser when these teams drew 1-1 at the same stadium last season.
Sunderland's defenders will need to prevent him from receiving repeated service inside the penalty area. His ability to occupy centre-backs can also create space for Bournemouth's attacking midfielders.
Justin Kluivert
Kluivert's return gives Bournemouth another important creative option. He scored in the Europa League victory at Real Sociedad before suffering the muscle injury that kept him out for several weeks, and he returned from the bench against Sturm Graz.
He may not yet be ready for a full match, but his ability to carry the ball and shoot from central attacking positions could make him particularly useful during the second half.
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka remains central to Sunderland's midfield structure. He was rested from the starting lineup against Torreense before coming on after halftime, and his pass supplied the assist for Sadiki's stoppage-time winner.
His experience should be valuable if Bournemouth press aggressively. Sunderland need him to keep possession under pressure and find their attacking players quickly.
Noah Sadiki
Sadiki could be one of the most important midfielders in the match. He has the physical capacity to compete centrally but also the willingness to attack the penalty area, as demonstrated by his decisive goal in Portugal.
With Sunderland potentially using a more cautious approach away from home, his ability to turn midfield possession into forward runs could give Le Bris an important additional attacking route.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Sunderland have won six of the 12 previous competitive meetings, compared with two Bournemouth victories and four draws.
Across the last 10 meetings, Sunderland lead with five wins to Bournemouth's two, while three have ended level.
Bournemouth are 18th with three points after six Premier League matches and remain without a league victory. Sunderland are 17th with four points.
Bournemouth have scored seven and conceded 13 in their six Premier League games.
Sunderland have lost their last three league matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton.
Bournemouth have won both Europa League games this season, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 and Sturm Graz 3-0.
Sunderland have also won both Europa League fixtures, beating AZ Alkmaar 1-0 and Torreense 2-1.
The numbers underline how differently both teams have performed across competitions. Neither has found consistent Premier League results, yet each has a perfect record after two Europa League matches.
Who Has the Statistical Edge?
This is one of the more balanced fixtures in the current Premier League round. Sunderland have the stronger head-to-head record and sit one place above Bournemouth, but neither team's domestic numbers provide a convincing advantage.
Bournemouth have home advantage and enter the match after a comfortable 3-0 European win. They also avoided international travel on Thursday, whereas Sunderland played in Portugal before returning to England. That recovery difference slightly strengthens Bournemouth's position.
Sunderland have reasons for confidence as well. They won the corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light last season, avoided defeat at Vitality Stadium in February and have recovered from losing positions before. Their ability to rotate seven players in Portugal should also reduce some concerns over fatigue.
Based on current evidence, the statistical edge is slight rather than clear and leans towards Bournemouth because of home advantage, Sunderland's three-match Premier League losing streak and the contrasting travel demands. A draw is highly realistic given that four of the 12 historical meetings have finished level and Bournemouth have already drawn half of their league matches this season.
Conclusion
Bournemouth vs Sunderland brings together two teams whose European results have been considerably better than their Premier League starts. Bournemouth remain without a domestic win after six matches, while Sunderland have taken only four points and arrive after three consecutive league defeats. Both nevertheless won in the Europa League on Thursday, with Bournemouth beating Sturm Graz 3-0 and Sunderland completing a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Torreense.
Sunderland hold the stronger historical head-to-head record, but Bournemouth's home advantage and lighter Thursday travel schedule narrow the difference. The returns of Kluivert and Adli also strengthen Rose's attacking options, while Sunderland must assess Isidor and decide whether Brobbey is ready to start. There is no clear statistical favourite, although Bournemouth have a slight edge at Vitality Stadium. Given both teams' league form and recent head-to-head results, a draw remains a realistic outcome.