Match Preview: Big night for Brighton and Bournemouth in race for Europe

We are now at that stage in the second half of the season which sees the return of Premier League midweek games. And it is a huge night in the race for Europe under the lights at the Amex as Brighton host Bournemouth.

The visitors are on course for their highest ever league finish, sitting pretty in fifth place, only a point away from a Champions League spot.

The man behind their success is Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola. Alongside Nuno at Nottingham Forest, Iraola must be the leading candidate for Manager of the Year.

Iraola did an excellent job last season in leading the Cherries TO 12th. The current campaign has been even better. Bournemouth look strong candidates to finish in the top six and secure European football for the first time ever.

They will pose a very tough test for the Albion; although their attacking style of football might actually play into Brighton hands, compared with facing opponents who arrive and park the bus.

Brighton Crush Southampton

The Albion were last in action only 72 hours ago when they made the short journey down the M27 to take on rock bottom side Southampton. It was a game that had much of the fanbase feeling some nerves as this was typically the kind of match Brighton lose.

Our recent history of dropping points or losing to teams in the bottom half of the table does not make for great reading and has been our kryptonite.

However, I am very happy to say that we saw the complete opposite at St Mary’s. A ruthless, dominant and clinical performance saw Brighton tear Southampton apart 4-0.

Whilst the Albion were fantastic, the Saints were very poor. As it stands, they have just nine points from 26 games. Based on what we saw on Saturday, it is hard to see where the three needed to avoid beating Derby County’s record low of 11 from the 2017-18 season are coming from.

Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood got the Brighton goals. Had it not been for Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, the scoreline could have been into double figures.

Bournemouth bitten by Wolves

Bournemouth welcomed relegation threatened Wolves to the Vitality Stadium at the weekend, with the visitors pulling off a shock 1-0 victory.

The Cherries were in control through the opening 30 minutes until going down to 10 men. Centre back Illian Zarbanyi was shown a yellow card after a rash challenge on Wolves defender Ait Nouri.

But after a VAR review, the yellow was upgraded to a red and the Ukrainian international was given his marching orders.

It did not take the visitors long to make the most of their man advantage. Just five minutes after the sending off and Matheus Cunha bagged his 13th goal of the campaign.

Bournemouth could have moved into the top four with victory. They will no doubt feel VAR has done them an injustice. Meaning they will be fired up to bounce back at the Amex.

Brighton v Bournemouth head-to-head

Bournemouth have been one of the teams Brighton have played most frequently, with 117 games between two. The Cherries lead the head-to-head but only by two victories; 45 compared to 43 for the Albion. The remaining 29 matches have been drawn.

The last meeting saw Brighton pick up only their third league win at the Vitality Stadium this century. It was a crazy, entertaining game which the Albion dominated for large parts.

Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma put Brighton 2-0 ahead but a controversial 59th minute red card for Carlos Baleba opened the door for the Cherries.

David Brooks pulled one back as the hosts came on strong, even hitting the bar with the last kick of the game. The Albion though held on for a massive win from a battling performance to be proud of.

Brighton v Bournemouth team news

Fabian Hurzeler welcomed Solly March and Pervis Estupinan back to the squad at Southampton, which was a big boost. However, two returnees are matched by another two being ruled out.

Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck picked up injuries in training, meaning they missed the trip to St Mary’s. Neither are likely to be fit enough for the visit of Bournemouth.

Captain Lewis Dunk is some way off a return following a rib injury. James Milner is back in training but no time frame has been set for when he might take to the pitch again.

Finally, here is your weekly reminder that Igor Julio and Ferdi Kadioglu have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Iraola is currently contending with five potential absentees through injury. His back line has been hit particularly hard.

Marcos Sensi, Julian Arujo and captain Adam Smith are all ruled out for this game with various injury issues. Throw in Zabarnyi missing the game through suspension thanks to that weekend red card and it will be a severely weakened Cherries defence.

At the other end, forward pair Evanilson and Ennis Unal are both long term absentees. Brazilian star Evanilson broke a metatarsal in January whilst playing against Everton.

Unal then sustained an ACL tear in training just a week later. It is not just Brighton who have been unlucky with injuries this season…

Bournemouth players to watch out for

Bournemouth have been great to watch this season. They play fast, attacking football which is made effective thanks to a number of dangerous players. Here are a couple Brighton will need to watch out for.

Justin Kluivert

Dutchman Kluivert has been Cherries Player of the Season so far. Son of footballing icon Patrick Kluivert, the 25-year-old arrived in England back in 2023.

He had a decent first season, netting seven times. But the appointment of Iraola has led Kluivert to look like a man reborn.

Kluivert has 11 goals in 2024-25 and has chipped in with five further assists, making this the most prolific campaign of his career.

Bournemouth play without an out-and-out striker and Kluivert has been instrumental in making it work. If the Cherries do qualify for Europe come the end of the season, he will have played a major part in it.

Antonio Semenyo

Semenyo is another player having a stellar campaign. This is his third season at the Vitality Stadium and each year, he gets better and better.

Normally a winger, Semenyo has also led the line on occasions. He has seven goals to his name and is reportedly a number one summer transfer target for Newcastle United.

Semenyo is the Cherries player I am must afraid of, personally. We have seen his pace cause Brighton all kinds of problems in the past. Keeping him quiet will be key for the Albion.

Final thoughts

Ignoring their defeat against Wolves, Bournemouth have been in red hot form in recent weeks. Since the start of January, they have netted 22 goals in all competitions.

Brighton can therefore expect a defensive test. Containing the Cherries front line will require pace and organisation at the back from the Albion.

As already mentioned, Bournemouth have issues in their own defence. That should have the in-form Brighton attacking foursome of Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter, Yankubu Minteh and Joao Pedro licking their lips.

The Cherries play fast, one-touch football and can really hurt teams on the counter. I expect neither side to sit back and that could make for a brilliant spectacle.

With only 10 games left to play after this one and the teams between third and 10th so closely bunched, three points will be huge for whoever comes out victors.

Prediction

Three wins in a row, nine goals scored and only one conceded will mean Brighton come into this one with confidence sky high.

The Albion have looked lethal in front of goal and solid at the back since losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest. Jan Paul van Hecke and Adam Webster appear the best centre back partnership we have seen this season. Famous last words, I know…

I am going for a narrow Albion win. Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth.

Andrew James @AndrewJames1901