Friends reunited is the subplot of a game Sam Allardyce says his Sunderland side simply cannot afford to lose. With the Wearsiders seemingly averse to drawing under Allardyce’s charge much may depend on the performances of two former Bournemouth loanees, Jermain Defoe and John O’Shea in the home ranks. Both played in the same south coast team as Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall, now the visiting manager and assistant manager. Defoe even lodged with Tindall with the then defender cooking for him. Louise Taylor
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Stadium of Light
Last season n/a
Referee Roger East
This season G13, Y40, R0, 3.08 cards per game
Odds H 2-1 A 7-5 D 9-4
Sunderland
Subs from Pickford, Yedlin, Coates, Kirchhoff, Beadling, Rodwell, Gomez, Toivonen, Watmore, Fletcher, N’Doye
Doubtful Fletcher (illness)
Injured Kaboul (hamstring, unknown), Larsson (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLWWL
Discipline Y45 R2
Leading scorer Defoe 9
Bournemouth
Subs from Allsop, Federici, Cargill, Elphick, Distin, Rantie, MacDonald, Pugh, O’Kane, Murray, Bennett, Tomlin, Iturbe, Grabban, King
Doubtful Afobe (knee), Tomlin (fitness), Elphick (ankle), King (hamstring)
Injured Gradel (knee, Mar), Wilson (knee, Apr), Mings (knee, Sep)
Suspended None
Form WDLDLW Discipline Y30 R1
Leading scorer Wilson 5
