Still Bournemouth exerting all the pressure. They win a corner, it's deliberately played low to the D, where Andrew Surman pings a first-time shot just wide. The visitors are playing with real confidence here.

That's cynical from Andrew Surman. With Fabio Borini about to launch a counter, the Bournemouth man chops him down. Knew what he was doing. Clear yellow.

A big chance for 2-0! Marc Pugh whips in a lovely cross from the opposite flank, Mannone dives and gets nowhere near it, but Junior Stanislas can't quite turn the ball into the empty net.

Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"He got a good hand to the header and I would have thought he would have kept it out.

"It was brave, good movement, but he should have done better."

Bournemouth have been hitting their stride and now they take the lead. Harry Arter switches play with a great crossfield ball, Junior Stanislas pings in a lovely early cross and Benik Afobe connects with a diving header which Vito Mannone can't keep out.

Marc Pugh bursts into the Sunderland box and slides a tantalising ball across the face to Benik Afobe, but the striker just can't connect on the stretch. Inches away from giving Bournemouth the lead.

Jeremain Lens runs at the Bournemouth defence with pace and power, but his touch lets him down and the Cherries clear.  No clear chances so far.

Junior Stanislas hits a poor free kick which is easily headed away, but the ball eventually comes out to Charlie Daniels. The defender's shot is on target but lacks power and is easily saved.

Sunderland have definitely made the brighter start. Yann M'Vila plays an excellent first-time ball to Fabio Borini, but Adam Smith gets to the ball ahead of the Italian and concedes a corner.

Sunderland, kicking from left to right in their traditional red and white stripes, get us under way. Bournemouth in their blue and navy away kit.

The players are out, and we're almost ready to go...

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says his side must shackle Jermain Defoe. Howe played with Defoe when the striker had a loan spell at Bournemouth as a teenager.

"He has the ability to score key goals in tight games, so we certainly know about his strengths," he said. 

"Our key aim is to nullify him, keep him quiet.

"Of course there are very good players around him, but certainly his form has been very good of late. He's still one of the best players I've played with."

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says his side cannot afford a defeat: "At all costs, we cannot lose this game, for me. We must try to win it if we can, but if we can't, make sure we don't lose it because the distance then between Bournemouth and us, even though people say there are a lot of games to go, there aren't."

BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has gone for a 2-1 win for Sunderland.

He says: "Bournemouth have bolstered their attack in this transfer window and they create chances against anyone, so they are definitely going to create chances against Sunderland.

"Sam Allardyce's side have the worst defensive record in the top flight but with Jermain Defoe in the team they will score goals too, and he could be the difference again against his former club."

Problems here. If you haven't set off for Sunderland's ground yet, I'd get a move on...

If you're in the Bournemouth area and you haven't set off, forget it. Not going to happen. 

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator

"That Sunderland have won their last two games against sides in the bottom six is genuine cause for optimism - if they should record a third successive win by beating Bournemouth, it will only add to their growing belief that the latest of their annual battles against the drop can end as positively as all the recent ones.

"That said, a look at their February schedule perhaps makes victory this weekend even more imperative as the two Manchester clubs, West Ham and Liverpool loom next.

"The visitors arrive in the kind of form which suggests that they'll be confident too, with just one defeat in their last five away games.

"They'll also be aware that defeat could even see them drop back into bottom three by Sunday evening."

Image source, BBC Sport

A quick reminder about our predictor game - your chance to see into the Premier League future.

Can you do better than Ice Cube? This week's guest on Lawro's predictions may know his way around the mean streets of Compton but he doesn't know his Arsenal from his elbow.

You can have a guess at the scores of all 10 top-flight fixtures this weekend by playing over here.

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Sunderland v Bournemouth.

A win could lift Sunderland to within a point of safety, while Bournemouth could go as high as 13th with a victory.

Two changes for Sunderland - keeper Vito Mannone comes in for Jordan Pickford, and Fabio Borini replaces Danny Graham on the wing.  

Image source, BBC Sport

Bournemouth, unsurprisingly, stick with the side that beat Norwich 3-0 last time out.  

Image source, BBC Sport