Before Sunderland’s disappointing 2-0 defeat earlier in the season, you will have had to go back twenty-six years to see the last time Sunderland and AFC Bournemouth went head-to-head in a 1990 division two clash. The long trip to the South coast was made by the Wearsider’s, then managed under Denis Smith, with an attendance of 6,328 there at Dean Court to watch Sunderland emerge victorious, with the score 1-0 following a Marco Gabbiadini strike.
Sunderland went on to reach the playoffs that season in the old second division (the equivalent to the Championship nowadays), but after beating north-east rivals Newcastle United over two legs, Sunderland were beaten in the final at Wembley against Swindon Town. However, two weeks after the final defeat, Sunderland were promoted after Swindon Town had been found guilty of breaching 36 League rules.
The Black Cats have won all three of their previous away games against Bournemouth 1-0 and have never lost a game to the South coast side (W4 D2). Sunderland will be hoping to maintain an impressive record against Bournemouth this Saturday as the Black Cats look to winning ways at the Stadium of Light.
