Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton predicts Sunderland’s game at Premier League rivals Bournemouth.

Former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on Sunderland’s visit to Premier League rivals Bournemouth as both sides look to claim a win to kickstart their season.

The Black Cats and the Cherries are both combining domestic action with European football after qualifying for the Europa League and they have made perfect starts to the league phase of UEFA’s secondary club competition with two wins from two.

However, their Premier League form has not been as impressive with Sunderland heading to the south coast looking for only their second win of the league season and their first since they saw off Fulham at the Stadium of Light in their first home game of the campaign. Their hosts are yet to claim a league win after losing three and drawing three of their first six games and that form has left them in the relegation zone. Sutton, who was a Premier League winner during his time at Blackburn, has claimed their struggle to find form during the league campaigns means it is difficult to separate the two sides ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Vitality Stadium.

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Writing in his BBC Sport predictions column, Sutton said: “Both these teams play in Europe on Thursday but neither of them are in great form. Sunderland have lost three in a row, while Bournemouth have not won in the league so far this season. The Cherries have been a team who have got in front but let things slip a few times this season but, against Chelsea, they went 2-0 down right from kick-off, then did it again with their third goal inside the first few seconds of the second half.

“Bournemouth boss Marco Rose had probably told his players "don't do anything stupid" at the break, so he must have been absolutely livid at that. They really need a positive result here but so do Sunderland. It's going to be close, and I can't pick a winner. Sutton's prediction: 1-1”

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