Manchester City will look to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal this evening when they visit Leeds United.
The Gunners have played a game more than City, who are currently six points off the top.
In the early kick-off, Sunderland will hope to put an end to their recent dip in form when they travel to take on Bournemouth.
Burnley have the chance to mix things up in the relegation battle when they play Bournemouth at 3pm knowing that a win could move them to within five points of safety.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Liverpool, who seem to have found their groove in recent weeks, take on relegation-threatened West Ham, while Newcastle host Everton.
Beyond the Premier League, Championship leaders Coventry City take on Stoke City as they aim to end the day six points clear at the top, while Wrexham’s push for a play-off spot continues as they face Charlton Athletic.
Follow The i Paper’s live updates below
Should Sunderland have had an early penalty?
Bournemouth 0-0 Sunderland
It has been checked by VAR and the referee’s decision stands, but the visitors think they should have been awarded an early spot kick.
Enzo Le Fee goes to the ground following what looked like a slight push from Alex Jimenez, but the officials don’t believe the contact was enough.
Safe to say the away fans aren’t happy with that one.
Early Championship action
Three early Championship kick-offs all start at 12.30pm:
- Derby vs Blackburn
- Leicester vs Norwich
- Portsmouth vs Hull
Blackburn especially but also Portsmouth and Norwich are far from safe from relegation with 12 games to go, while Derby still hold play-off hopes despite being 12th. The Rams are just six points off Wrexham in sixth going into the weekend, while Hull are fifth in their pursuit of promotion.
It’s a big one for Leicester at home to the Canaries. They head into the match in the relegation zone, one point behind West Brom.
Will Xhaka help Sunderland overcome slump?
Bournemouth v Sunderland
Sunderland are in the midst of a little bit of an injury crisis but will be looking to find a way to curtail their recent slump this afternoon.
They are bolstered by the return of Granit Xhaka as they look for their first win in four Premier League games.
Sunderland have conceded three goals in each of their past three games on the road in the league, so will need a better defensive display today if they are to begin to turn things around.
Team news: Bournemouth v Sunderland
The key talking point from the team news is that Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka returns following a six-game absence with an ankle injury.
He is one of four changes for Regis le Bris’ side. Their fitness woes continue today with Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi being absent following injuries in last week’s defeat by Fulham.
For Bournemouth, Evanilson and Amine Adli – who drop to the bench – are replaced by David Brooks and Marcus Tavernier.
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Rayan, Brooks, Tavernier, Kroupi.
Subs: Mandas, Evanilson, Christie, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic.
Sunderland: Roefs, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Xhaka, Diarra, Le Fee, Talibi, Mayenda.
Subs: Ellborg, Angulo, Rigg, O’Nien, Isidor, Traore, Aleksic, H. Jones, J. Jones.
Welcome
Welcome to The i Paper‘s live blog, where we will be guiding you through all the action from the Premier League and beyond today.
We begin on the south coast as Sunderland travel to Bournemouth for the early kick-off looking to end a recent slump which has seen them lose their past three league matches.
All eyes will be on Manchester City this evening when they visit Leeds United knowing that a win would reduce leaders Arsenal’s advantage to three points.
Here is what is on the way in the top flight today:
- 12.30pm: Bournemouth v Sunderland
- 3pm: Burnley v Brentford
- 3pm: Liverpool v West Ham United
- 3pm: Newcastle United v Everton
- 5.30pm: Leeds United v Manchester City
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