Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
After their second memorable win over Liverpool in a couple of weeks, Brighton & Hove Albion return to Premier League action with the visit of Bournemouth at Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Seagulls beat Liverpool 2-1 in their FA Cup fourth round tie last weekend, while Gary O’Neil‘s men ended their losing streak by holding Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw two weekends ago.
Contents
Match preview
© Reuters
King of the Japanese wing Kaoru Mitoma He will live out the nightmares of Liverpool fans and players for weeks to come as the Brighton striker gave the Reds a torrid moment in their FA Cup clash and capped another effervescent display with a sublime winner.
Harvey Elliott had broken the deadlock for the Merseyside giants in the first half, however Lewis Dunk – perhaps unknowingly – deviant Tariq LampteyMitoma’s volley into the back of the Liverpool net before Mitoma’s delicious volley sealed Brighton’s place in the fifth round at the end.
having seen Leandro Trossard move to Arsenal and Moises Caicedo to go public with his own desire to join him, Roberto De Zerbi he did a magnificent job of ignoring the off-field distractions that threatened to derail his side, who have four wins and a draw to show for their last five games in all competitions.
The highlight of that run was a slightly disappointing 2-2 draw with Leicester City in their last Premier League game, but the goals-happy Seagulls remain firmly in European contention, sitting sixth place in the table and five points from Tottenham Hotspur, who have played. two more games.
Dunk and Mitoma’s strikes against Liverpool saw Brighton score at least two goals in a game for the seventh consecutive game, and only Arsenal (28) and Manchester City (30) have scored more in the Premier League than the 26 of Brighton with De Zerbi, and even. a strengthened Bournemouth defense should not expect miracles on Saturday.
© Reuters
When thinking of a new owner splashing the cash in the January transfer window, Todd BoehlyChelsea’s spending spree will immediately spring to mind, though Bill Foley he also oversaw an entirely positive period of market activity at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth battled for survival.
The Cherries went into their clash with Nottingham Forest two weekends ago on the back of six consecutive defeats, but came agonizingly close to stealing all three points through Jaydon Anthonythe worker before Sam Surridge came off the bench to equalize in the 83rd minute for the visitors.
Certainly, considering the stalemate as two points dropped rather than a point gained, Bournemouth are still dancing with the devil in 18th place in the table, but they are only adrift of Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to goal difference lower.
Also, Leicester City, Leeds United and West Ham United are just one point above Bournemouth, but the Cherries’ away form makes grim reading as they have lost each of their last six games on the road without manage to score in each. of his last four.
Brighton secured a 3-1 win over Bournemouth during their most recent clash with the Amex in 2019-20 before the Cherries won 2-0 at the Vitality, but most will expect the visitors’ trip to the south coast to be a miserable this weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:
Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):
Bournemouth Premier League form:
Bournemouth form (all competitions):
Team news
© Reuters
Brighton’s cup win over Liverpool was marred by a serious injury to a teenage striker Evan Fergusonwho was the victim of a terror attack Fabinho which inexplicably only warranted a yellow card.
Ferguson was caught in his Achilles by Fabinho’s studs and limped off the field, although the extent of his damage remains unclear, and De Zerbi is also without Facundo Good night, Jakub mother, Levi Colwill, Adam Lallana and the suspended Alexis McAllister.
With injuries now piling up, De Zerbi may be forced to consider Caicedo’s withdrawal after the Ecuadorian’s actions apparently led to a training camp ban, but the 19-year-old Swedish star Yasin Ayari – who may very well become Caicedo’s successor – will expect an immediate introduction to Premier League football following his arrival in the winter.
As for Bournemouth, O’Neil is still sweating on the fitness of no less than five players Marcus Tavernier, Philip Billing, Dominic Solanke, Junior Stanislas i Ryan Fredericks all listed as doubtful for Saturday’s matchup.
neither David Brooks neither Lewis Cook I should be back at the weekend, where there are new signings Hamed Traore, Antoine Semenyo, Matias Vina i Ilya Zabarnyi all will be ready to debut.
O’Neil will be reluctant to disrupt the harmony too much after a well-earned point against Forest, but Vina and Traore in particular should feel confident of breaking into the starting XI straight away.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting line-up:
Sanchez; Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Stupinan; Caicedo, Gilmour; March, Gross, Myth; Welbeck
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto; Smith, Stephens, Kelly, Vina; Lerma, Rothwell; Anthony, Traore, Ouattara; Moore
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Bournemouth
Bournemouth may have made some attractive additions over the winter, but there will be no quick fix for O’Neil’s side, who have been dreadful offensively and defensively away from home.
With injuries and suspensions to consider, Brighton shouldn’t be expected to open up their visitors at will, but De Zerbi’s side have already overcome plenty of adversity in 2023 and should put three more points on the board in style usual
For data analysis of the most likely results, results and more of this match, click here.
Superior Council
Our expert reporting partners at Sporita.com predict a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more tried and tested football tips.Home Win:date
Email previews
Click here to get Sports moleThe daily email of previews and predictions for every big game!
Source: Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Bournemouth – prediction, team news, lineups
