These two have really struggled at the start of the season and while that may be no surprise for Brighton, it certainly is for Bournemouth. Many people including myself expected to see Bournemouth in the top half of the table this season, but so far they are in 19th having played four games and lost them all.
Bournemouth v Brighton
Premier League – Dean Court, Bournemouth – Friday, 15 September, 20:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 11/5 at Ladbrokes |
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Bournemouth
BrightonThey have the ability in their squad to turn things around, but things are getting desperate now and the pressure is mounting on them. They have the ability to beat Brighton, but with a lot of focus on them it is going to be tough for them and they will need to play well against the newly promoted club.
Bournemouth Form
The start of the season has been one to forget for Bournemouth, they have looked very poor and a shadow of their former selves so far. They have struggled at both ends of the pitch, scoring just one goal and conceding eight in their four games and it is an overall improvement they need, not just from one particular area.
They have shown the odd sign of promise and played ok in their home defeat against Manchester City, but failed to follow that up and lost 3-0 against Arsenal at the weekend. They must improve, they need to pick up points and they need to do everything quickly, they are much better than what we have seen so far from them.
The biggest problem in this game for Bournemouth may be the pressure they are sure to be under from their own fans. Their fans expect better and this is a game they really should be winning, their fans will be onto the players if they fail and the pressure will mount even further for the next game if they fail to win this.
Brighton Form
After two losses at the start of the season, we have seen an improvement from Brighton and they have picked up four points from their last two games. A 0-0 draw away at Watford was followed up at the weekend with a great 3-1 victory over West Brom. They have finally won and calmed the nerves, now it is time for them to kick on and continue picking up points in their survival bid.
After the first three games I was worried that Brighton would struggle to score goals in the Premier League, but after scoring three against West Brom I have seen enough to give them hope. They need to follow that up here though, and goal scoring is going to be important for them if they are to survive this season.
Team News
These two both have strikers upfront who are either capable of scoring goals, or they are in form and it is up to the midfield’s to get the ball up to their men in this game.
Jermain Defoe scored a lot of goals in a very poor Sunderland team last season and so far he has nothing at Bournemouth. They need to get the ball to him in the right areas and give him the chances he needs to put the ball in the back of the net. He is an important player and one that will help them get out of the mess they are in.
Pascal Gross was signed by Brighton in the summer in the hope that he would be able to provide them with goals in the Premier League. In Saturday’s 3-1 victory over West Brom he scored twice, played well throughout and looks to be the man they can rely on. Getting him the ball is key, he looks capable of taking chances and the more we see of him, the more chance Brighton have of surviving.
Top Betting Tips
This looks set to be a well fought, close game and the bet for me in this one has to be the draw. The draw is priced at 12/5 with William Hill, Betfred and Stan James and provides value in a game that I find hard to call.
I cannot back Bournemouth at the moment with the form they are in, and with Brighton coming here with a bit of confidence under their belts, I can see them doing enough to take home a point. Brighton will have to battle, but they are taking Bournemouth on at exactly the right time which will give them hope. They have a chance to take something from this game, and I think it will be a chance they will take and they will get a draw.