Bournemouth vs Sunderland: Premier League preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Ladbrokes previews Bournemouth vs Sunderland in the Premier League

• Rayan is tipped to score again in a Bournemouth win on Saturday lunchtime

• Granit Xhaka is tipped for a card with over 2.5 goals scored in the game

An intriguing battle between two potential European contenders kicks off Saturday's action in the Premier League as Bournemouth welcome Sunderland to the South Coast.

After a tough mid-season period, Bournemouth are now one of the form teams in the Premier League having not lost any of their last seven games to catapult them up to eighth in the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, have spent much of their campaign battling in the top half but have stuttered of late, winning only two of their last 11 games - but a win at the Vitality Stadium would put them right back in contention for European qualification.

Ahead of what should be an entertaining game, check out our in-depth preview, including lineups, predictions and tips for your Bournemouth vs Sunderland bet builder.

• Fixture: Bournemouth vs Sunderland

• Date: February 28, 2026

• Kick-off: 12:30 GMT

• Venue: Vitality Stadium

Our prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 Sunderland

Bournemouth

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic / Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert / Scott, Adams / Rayan, Kroupi, Adli / Evanilson

Sunderland

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs / Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume / Sadiki, Xhaka / Talbi, Le Fee, Angulo / Brobbey

The impact of Antoine Semenyo's departure to Manchester City has been softened by 19-year-old Rayan's impressive emergence at Bournemouth, with the Brazilian talent already nailing down a regular starting spot on the right-hand side.

A January arrival from Vasco da Gama, the teenager grabbed an assist minutes after coming on as a sub against Wolves before scoring against both Aston Villa and Everton. He's in line to make his fifth appearance for the Cherries on Saturday lunchtime and we're backing him to continue his good form and find the net again.

The loss of Granit Xhaka has hit Sunderland much harder, with the Black Cats winning just two of six in the league since their captain's injury at the end of January but after returning to action from the bench versus Fulham, he should slot straight back in for this game.

Bournemouth are a side who like to break quickly, so tactical fouls in the centre of the park will be the order of the day for the visitors - making Xhaka a prime suspect to pick up a booking.

Bournemouth fans have witnessed a huge 3.3 total goals on average in their Premier League games this season with Andoni Iraola's side always focusing their approach on attacking rather than defending.

With the Cherries in good form and Sunderland struggling, we think there could be at least three goals in this game - and it could well end up that all three come for the hosts.

Unsurprisingly then, our final pick is for Bournemouth to pick up three points and keep up the pressure on the likes of Brentford and Liverpool above them.

After a real sticky patch which saw them go 13 league games without a win, Iraola seems to have got the Cherries firing again - and that could spell trouble for a slightly struggling Sunderland side who have lost four of their last five.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.