Sunderland vs Bournemouth preview: Must-win for Sam Allardyce's Black Cats

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at The Stadium of Light

Jermain Defoe thanks the crowd after his match-winning performance (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Benik Afobe: The former Wolves striker netted his first goal for Bournemouth in their 3-0 win over Norwich last time out. The club-record £10m signing has a point to prove in his third game since moving to the Vitality Stadium.

Weirdest stat…

20: Since the start of 2014/15, AFC Bournemouth have won more penalties than any other team in the top four tiers of English football.

Remember when…

Matt Ritchie scored this goal of the season contender back in September.

Player to watch…

Jermain Defoe: The Premier League veteran has scored five goals in 2016, more than any other player in the league. He could be the key to Sunderland’s survival.

Past three-meetings…

Bournemouth 2 (Wilson, Ritchie) Sunderland 0, Premier League, September 2015

Bournemouth 0 Sunderland 1 (Gabbiadini), Division 2, March 1990

Bournemouth 0 Sunderland 1 (Gabbiadini), League Cup, November 1989

Form guide…

Sunderland: LLWLWL

Bournemouth: DLDWLW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 3pm

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm