Reinildo Mandava has praised the help he has obtained at Sunderland this season forward of this weekend’s conflict towards Bournemouth.
The Mozambique worldwide, who arrived on the Stadium of Mild in the summertime from Atletico Madrid, has loved a powerful begin to life in England, with the Black Cats sitting seventh within the Premier League desk heading into matchday 13.
Regis Le Bris’ aspect have been one of many shock packages of the season and stay unbeaten at residence throughout their six matches to date.
And a giant motive for his or her success, in response to Reinildo, is right down to the help they’ve obtained from the followers.
“I can speak in regards to the followers as a result of they’re wonderful,” he stated to Sunderland’s media channels.
“They offer us a lot energy. In away video games just like the Chelsea sport, we’re them and there are such a lot of within the away finish. They provide the energy to wish to say ‘sure’.
“I do know it’s arduous once you don’t win the sport otherwise you lose, that’s regular. You wish to give your greatest to offer them three factors.
“For us on the pitch, that’s why we give all the things. This weekend, we’d like that feeling once more.
“I don’t know one individual on this crew that isn’t preventing for a win.”
The Lads pic.twitter.com/vo34y3fglV
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 26, 2025
Bournemouth, in the meantime, are degree on 19 factors with Sunderland however sit a spot under them on objective distinction.
After a optimistic begin to the season, Andoni Iraola’s aspect have faltered of their current outings with losses to Manchester Metropolis and Aston Villa, although they got here from behind to safe a hard-fought 2-2 draw with West Ham final weekend, courtesy of an 81st-minute objective from Enes Unal.
The Turkish worldwide not too long ago returned to motion following an extended spell on the sidelines following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
“It feels nice to be again with the crew and feeling like a soccer participant,” Unal informed Bournemouth’s media. “I spent a very long time not feeling like an athlete or a soccer participant, so it’s an excellent feeling!”
“It’s been a tricky couple of years with two ACLs and one damaged toe, however everybody has been wonderful.
“They’ve given me the liberty and so they’ve given me the calmness; there was by no means any rush.
“They’ve helped to make me really feel wholesome once more with none strain, which has been nice.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunderland – Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka has created 5 probabilities from line-breaking passes within the Premier League in 2025-26, with solely Bruno Fernandes (seven) creating extra.
Of their loss to Fulham final day out, Xhaka was a uncommon brilliant spot for the Black Cats, registering one among their 4 pictures heading in the right direction with seven ultimate third entries.
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Having been concerned in 9 targets in his first seven Premier League appearances this season (six targets, three assists), Antoine Semenyo has now failed to attain or help in any of his final 4.
The Cherries will want the Ghanaian again to his dynamic greatest if they’re to take all three factors towards Sunderland.
MATCH PREDICTION: BOURNEMOUTH WIN
Saturday’s conflict would be the first top-flight assembly between the 2 sides since April 2017, the place Bournemouth triumphed 1-0 on the Stadium of Mild to substantiate Sunderland’s relegation.
Certainly, Bournemouth are pegged as heavy favourites, having gained two of their 4 Premier League video games towards Sunderland (D1 L1), this after failing to win any of their first 4 league conferences with the Black Cats between 1988 and 1990 (D1 L3).
However Iraola’s aspect are struggling a poor run on the highway, having final 4 of their final seven away league video games (W1 D2), together with their final two.
Their final away win dates again to Matchday 3, the place they edged previous Tottenham 1-0, and they’ll have a tricky problem in entrance of them on the Stadium of Mild as effectively.
Sunderland are unbeaten at residence to date this season (W3 D3), having picked up simply two fewer factors in six video games this time period (12) than they did at residence in the entire of their final marketing campaign within the top-flight in 2016-17 (14 in 19 video games).
The Black Cats are additionally one among simply three sides (together with Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis) but to concede greater than twice in a league match this season.
Only a second of sheer pleasure pic.twitter.com/C0nlNBlGQr
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) November 23, 2025
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sunderland – 30.8%
Draw – 25.1%
Bournemouth – 44.1%
