Bournemouth have failed to win any of their last three matches despite enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League between the end of August and the end of October.
Semenyo returns?
The Cherries have the joint-third best home record in the Premier League this season and will hope to take confidence from that as they try to bounce back.
Iraola first provided a boost to his side, revealing that Antoine Semenyo may return.
"(Antoine Semenyo's availability) I hope so, we still have to do some training today, but he has been doing modified training with the team in the previous days, so if everything goes well today, yes, I think he is going to be available for tomorrow.
"Ryan (Christie) got injured with the national team, same as Ben (Gannon-Doak). He (Ryan Christie) played with some pain against Greece, and he also played with some pain against West Ham for us.
"But we did an MRI after the game as he wasn't feeling comfortable, and he has a sprain in the knee, and he will be out for some time, I think.”
Bournemouth have picked up seven points across their previous four Premier League meetings with Sunderland, in a clash where Iraola says his side must be defensively sound.
"The other day was a very good performance from our side, but we have to look at the reasons why we didn't win the game, because we conceded two goals. Even against Aston Villa, we conceded four goals.
"I don't think we conceded as many chances to concede that many goals. So we have to reduce the number of goals we are conceding; otherwise, even if you play, it becomes difficult to win games.
"I think the last two games we considered six goals when we haven't conceded as many chances to concede six goals. It's the middle part of our game.
"I think we have to return to this defensive solidity because offensively, I think we are doing very good things, but if you are conceding two, three, or four goals, it's very difficult to get points."
Evanilson needs to step up
Evanilson has one goal in 10 appearances this season in what has been a slow start for the Brazilian, who grabbed 10 goals and 1 assist in 31 appearances last season.
Although his name will be one of the first on the team sheet, Iraola admitted his form needs to improve as soon as possible.
"I think we have to judge the offensive side of the team overall. I think Eva creates a lot of things, but sometimes they are not for him.
"Sometimes he comes and links a play, and he does the difficult part, and then he can put the wingers or the number 10 in a much better position.
"He has also had some chances, he hasn't scored. But I think the other day he played well. It's true that a number nine he's weeks without scoring, he's the first one who wants to score as soon as possible.
"But for me, numbers are important, but it's not the main part, even in the offensive players."