Elsewhere, Tottenham secured a 3-1 league win against Coventry on Monday but remain unconvincing, while Brentford registered an average of just over 30% possession in their 1-1 draw at Leeds, making them comfortably the most possession-averse team in the top flight so far this season. In seven league games, only Brentford had more of the ball than Tottenham in that fixture.
Bournemouth hope to take advantage of their upcoming hosts to register only a second league win of the campaign and deepen the misery for the home side and their supporters.
The reigning champions prepare for the fixture following a May encounter against these opponents that doubled as Pep Guardiola's leaving party after 10 years in the job and twice as many trophies, marking the end of an era now laden with asterisks.
When these two sides met in May to finish the season, the contest doubled as Pep Guardiola’s leaving party after 10 years in the job and twice as many trophies, an era now laden with asterisks.
The hosts, meanwhile, are comfortably the most possession-averse team in the top flight so far this season, at an average of just over 30%.
Tottenham finally have a league win – they beat Coventry 3-1 on Monday – but remain unconvincing.
“What we need to improve is getting into more positions where he can score,” Glasner said before Friday evening’s game.
Buendía is the only one left in claret and blue as Unai Emery builds a new side, one that has picked up in form after a single point from their first four league games.
In seven league games, Brentford only had more of the ball in their 1-1 draw at Leeds.
We have quality.” Sunderland must use their three league fixtures before the international break – Leeds, Coventry away and Chelsea at home – to remind everyone why they finished seventh last season.