As the 2025-2026 Premier League season charges toward its second international break, Matchday 7 features two super-crucial fixtures on Saturday, October 4th. The first is a do-or-die mid-table showdown between AFC Bournemouth and Fulham, where a win can put either side in the top half. The second is Manchester United versus newly promoted Sunderland at Old Trafford, a match as crucial to the Red Devils' ambitions as it is to the Black Cats' miraculous survival hopes.

This double-header is a true test of managerial acumen and squad depth. For United's Erik ten Hag, it is a question of converting potential into points against a defensive low block. For Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, it is a question of leveraging home form to achieve consistency. The results will heavily shape the mid-autumn Premier League narrative.

• Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 14:00 UTC

• Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

• Competition: Premier League (Matchday 7)

AFC Bournemouth have posted their highest-ever start to a Premier League campaign by virtue largely of determination and late goal-scoring prowess.

• Form: Bournemouth are on a five-match unbeaten run following a season-opening loss at Liverpool (W3, D2, L1). They are 6th on the table.

• Resilience Highlight: The Cherries showed their resilience by scoring in the 93rd minute to secure a 2-2 away draw at Leeds last week.

• Home Fortress: The team can feel confident after losing just one of their last seven home league games (W4, D2), also collecting four clean sheets during that period.

Marco Silva's Fulham are positioned well mid-table but looking to recover from a disappointing recent defeat.

• Form: Fulham has an unblemished Premier League form after six matches (W2, D2, L2).

• Recent Setback: The team lost 3-1 away to Aston Villa at the weekend, losing the lead, enraging their manager.

• Defensive Cautiousness: Fulham matches are generally low-scoring matches with a high rate of matches ending under 2.5 goals.

The Premier League head-to-head highly favors Bournemouth, especially when playing at home.

• Home Dominance: Bournemouth recently won their three consecutive home league matches against Fulham.

• Low Scoring Trend: Recent head-to-head meetings display a trend of low-scoring affairs, with the majority of them going under 2.5 goals.

1. Bournemouth: Ryan Christie should be fit again. Enes Unal and Adam Smith are out, but the first XI is settled enough.

2. Fulham: Marco Silva didn't have any new injury concerns after losing to Aston Villa. Willian and Raúl Jiménez are expected to play.

• Solanke vs. Ream: Bournemouth's center-forward Dominic Solanke is the driving force behind their attack. His movement will be challenged by Fulham's veteran leadership in defender Tim Ream.

• Midfield Control (Billing/Tavernier vs. Reed/Palhinha): The fight at central midfield, where Fulham's defensive wall, led by João Palhinha, will attempt to smother Bournemouth's creative midfielders, will win possession and craft chances.

• Iraola's Press on Silva's Defense: Bournemouth's high intensity pressing game will try to catch Fulham's defense off balance, something that has previously exposed Fulham playing in the same conditions.

• Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 14:00 UTC

• Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

• Competition: Premier League (Matchday 7)

Manchester United have labored for a wretched start to their campaign, with manager Erik ten Hag already under scrutiny to turn things around.

• Form: United are 14th in the division, with two wins, one draw, and three losses from their initial half-dozen games. They are desperate to earn their third win to stabilize the boat.

• Recent Setbacks: Their last two games were a dejecting 3-1 loss against Brentford and a 1-0 loss against Arsenal in an absolute battle.

• Key Boost: Midfielder Casemiro will be available to play again after a one-match ban, providing much-needed experience.

Sunderland has been the biggest surprise of the promoted sides, boasting an unexpectedly solid position at the start of the campaign.

• Form: Sunderland kicked off their season well, trudging their way up to the top half of the table with just a single loss out of their first six games. They currently lie 5th in the table.

• Resilience: The Black Cats were promoted by achieving an epic last gasp win against Sheffield United at Wembley last season and have carried the momentum with them to the top division.

• Historical Context: The match revives the Tyne–Wear derby at Premier League level for the first time since the 2015–16 season.

The head-to-head record heavily weighs Manchester United's favor, but the two teams have not clashed in the Premier League for eight years.

Home superiority for United: Manchester United has a dominant home record over Sunderland, having won all of their last five Premier League home games at Old Trafford.

Challenge from Sunderland: Sunderland's last Premier League visit to Old Trafford resulted in a 3-1 defeat in 2016.

1. Man United Injuries: United will be without defenders Noussair Mazraoui (absent prior to the international break) and Lisandro Martínez (injured continuing rehabilitation from a knee injury). Casemiro's return is a massive boost, and Amad has had time off after a family loss.

2. Sunderland Injuries: Habib Diarra, Leo Hjelde, and Romaine Mundle will be unavailable for Sunderland through injury. Defender Luke O'Nien is nearing a return, and Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard are available for selection.

• Casemiro vs. Sunderland's Midfield: Casemiro being back in United's midfield will be decisive in controlling the tempo and spoiling Sunderland's counterattacks.

• United's Full-backs vs. Sunderland's Wingers: Sunderland will try to punish any space opened by United's full-backs with their speed on the wings.

• Højlund vs. Ballard: United's striker Rasmus Højlund vs. Sunderland's defender Dan Ballard will be the difference in which side wins.

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This match is an interesting war of styles. Bournemouth's home record and their flawless recent record give them a tiny edge, but Fulham's defensive strength and desire to rattle out wins make this not an easy match to call. We can see a low-scoring, close match, and Bournemouth's home record being the difference.

• Final Score Forecast: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Fulham

Though their disastrous beginning to the season, Manchester United's home advantage and the return of key players are an unbeatable advantage. Sunderland has played decently, but their away form has been a massive concern. We expect a close encounter, but United's superior quality and depth must be enough to seal the win.

• Final Score Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 1 Sunderland

These two Premier League games will be significant for both sides of the ledger. A Manchester United victory would be an incredible confidence builder and a welcome three points, whereas a Bournemouth victory would have them well and truly installed in the top half of the table. The scene is all set for an afternoon of world-class drama and high-pressure football.