Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth Match Prediction & Analysis

Brighton continue to cast aside any doubts over their quality, holding onto a top six place in the league after a string of impressive results.

It wasn’t enough for them to beat Liverpool 3-0 in the league last month, they then had to go and beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup too. 

They have two games in hand over Tottenham, a place above them currently, and could go ahead of them if they win them both. To qualify for Europe next season would be a remarkable achievement.

On the other hand, Bournemouth will just be grateful to secure Premier League survival for next season. Currently third from bottom, they haven’t tasted league victory since November.

Gary O’Neil is well-liked at the club, although the decision to award him the manager’s job on a permanent basis may be short-lived unless he can turn around this bad run of form.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brighton & Hove Albion Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Two wins over Liverpool will mean confidence is sky-high

     Could go four games unbeaten for the second time this season

Reasons to be fearful:

     Will be without key midfielder Alexis Mac Allister who is suspended

     Won just one of their last 12 meetings against Bournemouth

Brighton’s incredible rise has been well-documented this season, especially since Graham Potter left to join Chelsea. 

It’s a decision that hasn’t harmed the club in any way, with Roberto De Zerbi coming in and doing a fantastic job. Despite selling Leandro Trossard in January, the club looks as strong as it ever has.

One of the manager’s key decisions here will be whether to recall Moises Caicedo to the setup. The Ecuadorian midfielder was left out while his future was up in the air, subject of a £70m bid from Arsenal. He now looks set to leave in the summer.

Only Manchester City and Arsenal have scored more than Brighton’s 26 goals under De Zerbi, showing that they have been prolific going forward this season. 

They can close the gap on Tottenham with a win here.

Star Man – Kaoru Mitoma

Mitoma’s rise to form has been fantastic to watch – he is a player who gets fans up off their seats. He has six goals in his last 10 appearances for Brighton.

AFC Bournemouth Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won seven of their last 12 games against Brighton

     Earned a valuable point in their last game against Nottingham Forest

Reasons to be fearful

     Could lose their sixth consecutive away league game

     Yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this season

Bournemouth added a couple of players to their ranks in the January transfer window, and Gary O’Neil will hope that they hit the ground running with the club in a desperate situation.

With the way that the teams are bunched up at the bottom, it would only take a couple of wins to lift them towards mid table. Another defeat or two, however, would drag them further into the mud.

Hamed Traore, Antoine Semenyo and Ilya Zabarnyi all joined the club recently and could appear for Bournemouth this weekend.

Their first priority will be to defend better than they have away from home – they have conceded in each of their last 20 away fixtures.

Star Man – Dango Ouattara

Another recent signing for Brighton, Ouattara provided a fine assist in his first game for the club, helping them earn a point. His quality is what has been missing for much of this season.