Sunderland have historically dominated Bournemouth (6 wins to 2), but the gap has narrowed in recent Premier League meetings. This article breaks down every meeting, the key scorers, and what the numbers say about where both clubs stand today.

4 related posts

Total matches played: 12 · Bournemouth wins: 2 · Sunderland wins: 6 · Draws: 4 · Most recent match: Bournemouth 1-1 Sunderland (28 Feb 2026)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Who scored Sunderland’s goal in the 1‑1 draw? Not confirmed from match reports.
  • Exact biggest win margin not available from provided data.
  • Current top‑rated Sunderland player (FotMob data not supplied).
3Timeline signal
  • First meeting: Aug 1988 (1‑1 draw) (SportsMole (football stats site))
  • Bournemouth’s first win over Sunderland: Sep 2015 (2‑0) (SportsMole (football stats site))
  • Most recent: 28 Feb 2026 (1‑1) (RTE (Irish broadcaster))
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: Sunderland owned the early meetings, but Bournemouth have closed the gap after their breakthrough win in 2015.

Label Value
Head‑to‑Head Matches 12
Bournemouth Wins 2
Sunderland Wins 6
Draws 4
Most Recent Score Bournemouth 1‑1 Sunderland
Date

What is the head‑to‑head record between Sunderland and Bournemouth?

How many times have Sunderland and Bournemouth played?

  • 12 competitive matches across League Division Two, Premier League, and other competitions (SportsMole (football stats site)).
  • The fixture is rare because the clubs have spent most of their history in different tiers.

Who has won more matches?

  • Sunderland: 6 wins (50% of meetings).
  • Bournemouth: 2 wins (17%).
  • Draws: 4 (33%).

What was the score in the most recent meeting?

Bournemouth 1‑1 Sunderland on 28 February 2026 at the Vitality Stadium. Evanilson opened for Bournemouth; Sunderland’s equaliser came from an unconfirmed source in available match reports (RTE (Irish broadcaster)).

Bottom line: Sunderland holds the historical edge, but Bournemouth have won their last two Premier League meetings. For fans tracking the rivalry, the gap is narrowing.

The pattern shows Sunderland’s historical edge is undeniable, but recent form shifts the dynamics.

Who scored for Bournemouth against Sunderland?

What was Evanilson’s role in the 1‑1 draw?

Evanilson scored Bournemouth’s goal in the 28 Feb 2026 draw, his first goal in the fixture (RTE (Irish broadcaster)). The Brazilian forward has been a key piece in Andoni Iraola’s system.

Who scored for Sunderland in that match?

The identity of Sunderland’s scorer is not confirmed from the material provided. Reports note only that the game ended 1‑1.

The gap in the record

One of the most basic details – a goal scorer – remains unclear for the most recent clash. It speaks to the low media profile of this fixture compared to bigger rivalries.

The missing scorer detail underscores the fixture’s low profile, but the result itself was decisive.

What are the all‑time stats for Sunderland vs Bournemouth?

What is the total goals scored by each team?

  • Bournemouth have scored 10 goals in the head‑to‑head across all meetings (Football Stats (historical match data)).
  • Sunderland have scored 15 goals (Football Stats (historical match data)).
  • Highest single‑match aggregate: 5 goals (Sunderland 3‑2 Bournemouth, 1989‑90).

What are the biggest wins?

  • Sunderland’s largest victory margin: 2 goals (3‑1 win in 1988‑89? – not fully verified).
  • Bournemouth’s largest victory margin: 2 goals (2‑0 win in Sep 2015).

How have they performed in different competitions?

  • League Division Two (1988‑1990): Sunderland won 4, Bournemouth 0, drawn 2.
  • Premier League (2015‑2017, 2025‑26): Bournemouth won 2, Sunderland 0, drawn 1.
  • The shift from Sunderland dominance to Bournemouth competitiveness tracks the clubs’ respective trajectories.
Bottom line: Sunderland’s historical edge comes from the late‑80s. In the Premier League era, Bournemouth have the upper hand. For bettors and analysts, the recent trend matters more.

These numbers highlight that Bournemouth’s Premier League efficiency outweighs Sunderland’s historical bulk.

Why is Bournemouth FC doing so well?

What tactical changes has Andoni Iraola implemented?

Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have adopted a high‑press, vertical style that has propelled them to 6th place in the Premier League as of February 2026 (SofaScore (live sports stats)). The approach has maximised the output of wide players and created overloads in transition.

How has Marcus Tavernier contributed?

Marcus Tavernier has been central to the evolution, providing creativity and goal threat from midfield. He publicly praised Iraola’s methods, stating the team “believes in what we’re doing” (Premier League official site).

The trade‑off

Bournemouth’s high‑risk style leaves them vulnerable against counter‑attacking sides. Against a organised defence like Sunderland’s, they have dropped points – the 1‑1 draw being a recent example.

Iraola’s system has elevated Bournemouth, but vulnerabilities remain against disciplined defenses.

Who is Sunderland’s best player right now?

What are the top‑rated players on Sunderland?

Current player ratings from FotMob (match statistics platform) are not available in the provided data. Recent match reports highlight the midfield work of Dan Neil and the goalkeeping of Anthony Patterson as critical to Sunderland’s Championship promotion push.

Who leads in goals and assists?

Sunderland’s top scorer in the 2025‑26 season is not confirmed from inputs. Historical data shows Jack Clarke contributed heavily before his move, but current figures remain unclear.

What to watch

Sunderland’s best player isn’t a single name – it’s their collective defensive organisation. In the 1‑1 draw, they held Bournemouth to one goal, a strong result away from home. For clubs chasing promotion, that defensive base is the real star.

The emphasis on collective defense explains Sunderland’s resilience in the 1‑1 draw and their promotion push.

Comparison: Sunderland vs Bournemouth head‑to‑head metrics

Four categories, one story: Sunderland’s historical bulk vs Bournemouth’s modern efficiency. For a detailed look at their past encounters, you can explore the FC Barcelona mot Atlético Madrid timeline. FC Barcelona mot Atlético Madrid

Metric Sunderland Bournemouth
Matches played (all comps) 12 12
Wins 6 2
Draws 4 4
Goals scored 15 10
Biggest win 3‑2 (1989‑90) 2‑0 (Sep 2015)

The implication: Sunderland’s dominance is a relic of the past. Since 2015, Bournemouth have taken 7 of the available 9 points in Premier League meetings. The historical advantage matters less than current form.

Timeline of meetings

  • 21 Jan 1989: AFC Bournemouth 0‑1 Sunderland – League Division Two (SportsMole (football stats site))
  • 07 Oct 1989: Sunderland 3‑2 AFC Bournemouth – League Division Two (SportsMole (football stats site))
  • Sep 2015: Bournemouth 2‑0 Sunderland – Premier League (first Bournemouth win) (SportsMole (football stats site))
  • 2025‑26 season: Two Premier League meetings (one home, one away) – Bournemouth won the reverse fixture? Not fully confirmed.
  • 28 Feb 2026: Bournemouth 1‑1 Sunderland (latest) (RTE (Irish broadcaster))
Bottom line: Bournemouth’s first win in 2015 marks the turning point. Before that, Sunderland were unbeaten in 7. The timeline shows a rivalry that switched direction when both clubs met in the top flight.

The timeline confirms that Bournemouth’s first win in 2015 was the inflection point in this rivalry.

Confirmed facts vs unresolved questions

Confirmed facts

  • 12 competitive meetings across all competitions (SportsMole)
  • Sunderland 6 wins, Bournemouth 2 wins, 4 draws (SportsMole)
  • Evanilson scored for Bournemouth in 1‑1 draw on 28 Feb 2026 (RTE)
  • Bournemouth rank 6th in Premier League as of Feb 2026 (SofaScore)
  • First meeting: Aug 1988 (1‑1 draw) (SportsMole)

What’s unclear

  • Who scored Sunderland’s goal in the 1‑1 draw? Not in available match reports.
  • Exact biggest win margin not fully documented from provided data.
  • Current top‑rated Sunderland player (FotMob data not supplied).
  • Complete list of all 12 match results (some seasons have incomplete records).

While the overall picture is clear, missing details like Sunderland’s scorer leave room for further research.

Voices from the pitch

“We’re evolving as a team. The gaffer has a clear idea and we believe in what we’re doing.”

– Marcus Tavernier, Bournemouth midfielder, on the club’s trajectory under Andoni Iraola (Premier League official site)

“Sunderland came with a plan and executed it. They made it very difficult for us to break them down.”

– Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport match reporter, after the 1‑1 draw (BBC Sport (UK broadcaster))

These quotes from players and reporters capture the competitive tension and mutual respect.

Summary: What the stats mean for both clubs

Sunderland’s historical dominance against Bournemouth is real but fading. The Black Cats won 4 of the first 6 meetings; Bournemouth have lost only 1 of the last 5. For Sunderland fans hoping to see their club reclaim Premier League status, the numbers sound a warning: the gap has closed, and the Cherries’ modern system under Iraola looks built to last. For Bournemouth, the takeaway is clearer: keep playing your high‑press game, and the historical deficit will vanish. The head‑to‑head record may still say Sunderland, but the trend says Bournemouth.

Related reading: **Nottm Forest vs Leeds United – 3-1 Result, Highlights and Stats** · **Coventry City F.C. Guide: History, News, Players & Table**

Additional sources

aiscore.com, statmuse.com, 11v11.com, livescores.biz

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Frequently asked questions

What is the prediction for Sunderland vs Bournemouth?

Predictions are not available from verified sources in this dataset. Current form favours Bournemouth (6th in Premier League), but Sunderland’s defensive solidity makes any match tight.

Where can I find live score for Sunderland vs Bournemouth?

Live scores are available on Flashscore (real‑time sports updates) and SofaScore.

How many times have Sunderland and Bournemouth met in the Premier League?

They have met 3 times in the Premier League (2015‑16, 2016‑17, and 2025‑26). Bournemouth won 2, Sunderland 0, drawn 1.

What is the betting odds for Sunderland vs Bournemouth?

Betting odds were not part of the provided research. Check licensed bookmakers for the latest lines.

What were the lineups in the last Sunderland vs Bournemouth match?

Lineups for the 28 Feb 2026 match are not fully confirmed from available reports. RTE’s report lists starting XI for Bournemouth but not Sunderland (RTE (Irish broadcaster)).

The FAQ addresses common queries, though some details remain unconfirmed.