Dugout Discussion
28 February 2026 266 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

In-form Bournemouth take on a Sunderland side without a win in eight away league matches in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The action gets underway at 12.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Andoni Iraola makes two changes from last weekend.

Evanilson and Amine Adli drop to the bench, with David Brooks and Marcus Tavernier promoted to the starting line-up.

This is the fit-again Tavernier’s first league start since mid-January.

As a result of Evanilson’s demotion to substitute duty, it looks like Eli Junior Kroupi will be playing up front.

As for Sunderland, Regis Le Bris makes four changes from the 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.

Three are enforced due to injuries to Nordi Mukiele, Brian Brobbey and Jocelin Ta Bi.

Nilson Angulo drops to the bench, too.

Coming into the side, Granit Xhaka returns to the starting line-up for the first time in six weeks.

Lutsharel Geertruida, Eliezer Malenda and Chemsdine Talbi are also handed recalls.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Brooks, Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier.

Subs: Mandas, Evanilson, Christie, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Xhaka, Le Fee, Diarra, Mayenda, Talbi.

Subs: Ellborg, Angulo, Rigg, O’Nien, Isidor, Traore, Aleksic, H Jones, J Jones.

price change predictions
266 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    *sigh*

  2. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    No Kelleher?

  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    No Kelleher. Martin it's your time to shine.

  4. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Rayan not even involved in celebrations

    1. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      I know, he's been anonymous ‐ first time owner this week

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        Same

  5. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Evan nice busts Sun

  6. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Tav assist!!!!!

  7. z13
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 2 days ago

    VAR Handball

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Goal given

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      A wee bit behind, goal given...

  8. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Good stuff, Sunderland clean sheet gone

  9. z13
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Kelleher dropped is crazy, must be an injury

    1. Bigbars
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      I feel for all those that brought him in based on scouts or CC recommendations.. those are the breaks. if ever you need a reminder to try get a playing squad

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        What are you talking about? He’s nailed when fit.

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Good both CS gone

  11. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Shudda gone tav not rayan

  12. z13
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Beto starts over Barry

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    WTF why no Kelleher?

  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    I give up

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Don't give up. You could always go live in the himalayas.

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Time to delete my team.

    This game is a waste of time

    1. Bigbars
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      keep the faith sir... embrace the rough with the smooth. it'll come good. we all experience disappointments from time with this game

      1. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        The whole fkn season is a disappointment. A Casual‘s dream season.

        1. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Life is a disappointment.. but we dont give up.. we keep pushing on, casuals can only get away for so long...

  16. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Have Thiago but really wish for a rare Burnley CS or a pen save by Dubravka.

  17. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Big relief for whoever on Pen duty for Burnley.

  18. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 2 days ago

    Of course Eva Tav, not Rayan, always the same lol

  19. Moon Dog
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Bournemouth play again in just 3 days, yet Tav is still on the pitch. Do you think he starts Tuesday?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        Yeah. These smaller teams play their best players every week and he's unquestionably one of their best players. I reckon they restore Evanilson upfront for Tuesday after the goal.

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        Yep. Rayan will be benched.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Nope

      3. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        Really don’t think they will bench Rayan. He can make the difference.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          They will bench Kroupi and Brooks imo.

    • Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Rogers blank
      Hill blank
      Kroupi blank
      Kelleher not in the squad

      What a lovely start to the GW. Yes I own Wirtz too.

      End the season.

    • Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Roefs YC

    • g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Roefs YC gets better

    • PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Roefs doesn’t disappoint

    • Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 2 days ago

      Rogers + Anderson > Wilson + Tavernier?

      Seem sensible

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 2 days ago

        Don't lose Anderson

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Really, just keep him long term you reckon?

          Just thinking set pieces and attacking threat for Tav/Wil over DEFCON?

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 2 days ago

            He's the steadiest asset atm, in a sea of blanking attackers. Even the expensive mids need regular hauls to match his consistency

            I'm looking to buy soon

            1. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 13 Years
              3 months, 2 days ago

              Thanks mate, will just leave him there and choose between Tav/Wil.

        2. Moon Dog
            3 months, 2 days ago

            Agreed. He said recently that he's been asked to get forwards and take more shots. With his DefCons and set pieces he's kind of scary not to own...

      2. Machine Gun Skelly
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Roefs is killing me right now 🙁

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Any chance Alderete scoring the winner?

        • The Reptile
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Rayan touched the ball! Then "crosses" straight against a Sunderland player..

        • Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Wow was going to get Kelleher. Didn’t make the move and just played Jose Sa.

        • Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 2 days ago

          Keith Andrews on Caoimhín Kelleher

          "Caoimhín’s partner had a baby. We are delighted for them and we wish them well but he couldn’t play today"

          https://x.com/i/status/2027746477716738320

        • Moon Dog
            3 months, 2 days ago

            Tav off at 80 mins. Doesn't even look tired. He recovers quick...