Cherries host Sunderland, Toon face Watford in early relegation tests

During these early stages of the Premier League season, both Northeast clubs Sunderland and Newcastle United find themselves rooted to the bottom two places of the table, and face fellow potential relegation battlers Bournemouth and Watford respectively.

The Black Cats are the odds-on 4/11 favourites with Coral to face a daunting drop down divisions, as they prepare for a visit to Dean Court, while a rock bottom Magpies outfit host Quique Sanchez Flores’ Hornets at St James’ Park.

Bournemouth v Sunderland
After Dick Advocaat helped claw the Black Cats to safety last term, the Dutchman has struggled to continue his side’s form during that successful run-in, as they lie second from bottom, though face a team that has never beaten them in six attempts.

Sunderland are 4/1 to capture their first victory of the campaign, currently being one of three sides without a domestic win, alongside Northeast rivals Newcastle and Stoke City, while Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are odds-on 3/4 favourites for a maiden home triumph.

Callum Wilson is currently the division’s joint leading scorer so far with four strikes, after a hat-trick against West Ham United and an early goal over Leicester City, making the in-form Englishman 9/2 to open proceedings this time out.

Though the travelling side possess plenty of firepower themselves, despite their early struggles, in the form sharpshooter Jermain Defoe and he is 2/1 to net anytime, having dispatched a treble last month in a Capital One Cup clash with Exeter City.

The hosts will have to do without winger Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings, while Republic of Ireland international Harry Arter is not fit enough to return, with Steven Fletcher, Adam Johnson and Adam Matthews all facing late fitness tests for the Black Cats.