Sunderland head to the South coast to take on Bournemouth.
After suffering a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal which meant they had made the worst start ever to a Premier League season, Sunderland head to Bournemouth in search of their first win before the international break.
The Black Cats are rock bottom of the Premier League with just two points, and the pressure is beginning to mount on manager David Moyes, who is yet to taste a league victory since taking over.
They will remain in the bottom three regardless of the result, but how will Sunderland line up against Bournemouth?
Star of the season Jordan Pickford will continue in goal, and will be demanding more effort from the back four in front of him, who have let him down too many times this season.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil in action with Sunderland’s Lamine Kone
Billy Jones made his first league appearance of the season against Arsenal, and should continue at right back instead of Javi Manquillo. Captain John O’Shea was forced off against the Gunners and replaced by Papy Djilobodji, who will likely partner the under-fire Lamine Kone at centre back.
The lack of options for Moyes due to injury and lack of quality means the Scot may be forced to go with the same midfield three that started at the Stadium of Light last Saturday. If Jack Rodwell does start, he will be praying he does not make it 34 Sunderland appearances in the league without a win.
Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell looks dejected after the match
Duncan Watmore won a penalty that gave Sunderland hope against Arsenal, and should continue out wide as Adnan Januzaj will likely continue his return from injury off the bench.
Wahbi Khazri will look to cause problems on the opposite flank, meaning an isolated Jermain Defoe will lead the line yet again on his own, having grabbed his fifth goal of the season last time out.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
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