Sunderland host Fulham in the Premier League this weekend.

Fulham full-back Kenny Tete has praised Sunderland for their form since returning to the Premier League, but has argued that Sunday’s meeting between the two sides at the Stadium of Light represents an opportunity for the Cottagers to “bounce back” after a recent dip in form.

Marco Silva’s men travel to Wearside this weekend just one place and two points behind their hosts in the table having suffered four defeats in their last five top flight outings. They did, however, beat the Black Cats when the teams faced off in West London, and Tete is hoping for another similarly positive result this time around.

When asked to assess Fulham’s recent downturn in fortunes during an interview with their in-house media team, the Dutchman said: “A bit unlucky. I think, if you look at the game against Manchester United, we deserved more. Everton, a very good game first half, where you have to score more goals because if you don’t do it, you know how it goes in the Premier League. It’s ruthless, and the opposition will score, so a hard lesson for us. [Manchester] City was hard, yeah.”

Tete then turned his attention to Sunday’s match against Sunderland, adding: “Away, as well, so it’s also a different story. At the Cottage it was already tight, it was not an easy game. Obviously we know that they are a solid team, they have good results, and at home they are a different team. It’s a good moment for us to bounce back, so let’s see.”

What else did Fulham defender Kenny Tete say about Sunderland?

Tete was also asked why Sunderland’s home record has been so stellar this season, while their away form has occasionally stuttered, to which he replied: “It’s completely different. It’s a good question... We have now, at the Cottage, good results, and away, we have a bit less. The years before, it was a lot away, so... I don’t know, actually, what it is, but I reckon their fans are probably great, and they are behind them, or maybe there’s something with the stadium. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the wind! There should be something there!”

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On Sunderland’s return to the top flight this season, he continued: “[I’ve been] Quite impressed. Obviously, they brought a lot of players in. I think they brought a lot of the right players in, and I know it’s not easy. I’ve been there, coming up and fighting against the big teams. It’s not easy, and to come back and be so steady, yeah, it’s impressive.”

Tete also went on to speak about knowledge of the Black Cats’ squad, and in particular, his close relationship with winger Bertrand Traore. He said: “I know the Dutch players. [Brian] Brobbey obviously more because he is from Amsterdam. Amsterdam connection, Ajax connection... Can’t go wrong.

“Obviously, I played with him [Traore] at Ajax, and we did so well, and we went together to Lyon. We played together at Lyon, and he’s actually one of my closest friends anyway in football. Like, I don’t speak to him every day, but he’s a good player, great player. A lot of good memories with him.”

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