Dugout Discussion
28 February 2026 266 comments
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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
    14 days, 2 mins ago

    *sigh*

  2. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    14 days, 1 min ago

    No Kelleher?

  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    14 days, 1 min ago

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

  4. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    14 days, 1 min ago

    Rayan not even involved in celebrations

    1. The Reptile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 days, 23 hours ago

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

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        Same

  5. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    14 days, 1 min ago

    Evan nice busts Sun

  6. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    13 days, 23 hours ago

    Tav assist!!!!!

  7. z13
      13 days, 23 hours ago

      VAR Handball

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        Goal given

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        A wee bit behind, goal given...

    • Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      13 days, 23 hours ago

      Good stuff, Sunderland clean sheet gone

    • z13
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        Kelleher dropped is crazy, must be an injury

        1. Bigbars
          • 15 Years
          13 days, 23 hours 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
            13 days, 23 hours ago

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

      • Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        Good both CS gone

      • Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        13 days, 23 hours ago

        Shudda gone tav not rayan

      • z13
          13 days, 23 hours ago

          Beto starts over Barry

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          13 days, 23 hours ago

          WTF why no Kelleher?

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          13 days, 23 hours ago

          I give up

          1. The Philosopher
            • 5 Years
            13 days, 23 hours ago

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

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          13 days, 23 hours ago

          Time to delete my team.

          This game is a waste of time

          1. Bigbars
            • 15 Years
            13 days, 23 hours 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
              13 days, 23 hours ago

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

              1. Bigbars
                • 15 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

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

        • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          13 days, 23 hours ago

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

        • FOREST FOREVER 2
          • 1 Year
          13 days, 23 hours ago

          Big relief for whoever on Pen duty for Burnley.

        • Atimis
          • 9 Years
          13 days, 23 hours ago

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

        • Moon Dog
            13 days, 23 hours 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
              13 days, 23 hours 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
              13 days, 23 hours ago

              Yep. Rayan will be benched.

              1. Atimis
                • 9 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

                Nope

            3. Chalobah's Witness
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              13 days, 23 hours ago

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

              1. Atimis
                • 9 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

                They will bench Kroupi and Brooks imo.

          • Make United Great Again
            • 13 Years
            13 days, 23 hours 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
            13 days, 23 hours ago

            Roefs YC

          • g40steve
            • 7 Years
            13 days, 23 hours ago

            Roefs YC gets better

          • PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            13 days, 23 hours ago

            Roefs doesn’t disappoint

          • Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            13 days, 23 hours ago

            Rogers + Anderson > Wilson + Tavernier?

            Seem sensible

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 7 Years
              13 days, 23 hours ago

              Don't lose Anderson

              1. Count of Monte Hristo
                • 12 Years
                13 days, 23 hours 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
                  13 days, 23 hours 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
                    • 12 Years
                    13 days, 23 hours ago

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

              2. Moon Dog
                  13 days, 23 hours 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
                13 days, 23 hours ago

                Roefs is killing me right now 🙁

              • Gudjohnsen
                • 9 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

                Any chance Alderete scoring the winner?

              • The Reptile
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

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

              • Jigger & Pony
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                13 days, 23 hours ago

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

              • Tonyawesome69
                • 7 Years
                13 days, 23 hours 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
                  13 days, 23 hours ago

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