Two teams look to boost European hopes
Brighton v Bournemouth preview
With the race for European football intensifying in the Premier League, Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Bournemouth to the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Seagulls head into the match full of confidence after a resounding 4-0 victory over Southampton at the weekend, a result that leaves them ninth in the table with 40 points—just three behind sixth-placed Bournemouth, who suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wolves.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side were dominant against Southampton, creating 10 big chances and registering 15 shots inside the box. The performance was the perfect response to their humiliating 7-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest on February 1st, with Brighton now having conceded just once in three games since while netting nine goals themselves.
Last season’s surprise package in Europe, Brighton secured a historic first-ever Europa League qualification in 2023 and with only four points separating them from fourth-placed Manchester City, another continental campaign remains within reach.
Hürzeler will be hoping for a repeat of his side’s November win over Bournemouth, when Brighton battled to a 2-1 victory despite Carlos Baleba’s sending-off just before the hour mark.
Brighton have won six of their last eight matches in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets along the way. Their tally of 12 points in the past six league games is bettered only by Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton. However, their recent home form has been inconsistent—though they defeated Chelsea twice in a row at the Amex, they had failed to win any of the previous five, drawing three and losing two.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were edged out by Wolves on Saturday in a frustrating encounter. Reduced to 10 men after just 31 minutes, they struggled to create opportunities. However, despite that setback, Andoni Iraola’s side have been one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking teams this season.
While Iraola’s high-intensity, direct style of play has drawn attention, Bournemouth’s defensive solidity has gone somewhat under the radar. Only Liverpool and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals per game this season.
Team news
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk remains sidelined with a rib injury, while Joel Veltman is a major doubt. Danny Welbeck could also miss a second consecutive game.
Left-back Pervis Estupiñán made his return from a month-long absence as a substitute at the weekend and could return to the action against Bournemouth.
The visitors will be without Illia Zabarnyi, who is set to begin a three-match suspension unless the club succeeds in its appeal against his red card at Molineux.
Striker Evanilson, returning from a fractured metatarsal, was an unused substitute against Wolves and could feature on Tuesday night.
