[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Head]

Albion v Bournemouth

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: Farai Hallam
VAR: Matthew Donohue
Additional VAR: Gary Beswick
​

TEAM NEWS

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is again ruled out with a rib injury, while Joël Veltman is a major doubt and Danny Welbeck could also miss a second successive game.

Pervis Estupiñán returned as a substitute at the weekend after a month's absence and he was described by head coach Fabian Hürzeler as "an option" to start on Tuesday.

Illia Zabarnyi will begin a three-match ban for Bournemouth should the club fail in their appeal against his red card against Wolves.

Brazilian striker Evanilson was an unused substitute for that game on his comeback from a fractured metatarsal.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Brighton are on a run of three successive home league victories in this fixture, having been winless in the previous five (D3, L2).
• Bournemouth have lost four of the five meetings since returning to the Premier League in 2022.

Albion

• Brighton beat Chelsea 3-0 and Southampton 4-0 in their past two league matches. They last won three in a row in September 2023, with the third game coming against Bournemouth. They last did so without conceding in October 2018.
• Albion haven't earned consecutive home league wins since that victory over Bournemouth in September 2023.
• They have scored 10 Premier League goals in the first 15 minutes after half time this season, second only to Newcastle's tally of 11.
• Kaoru Mitoma has scored five goals in his past seven appearances for Brighton in all competitions.
• He has either scored or set up a goal in each of his four league outings against Bournemouth, registering four goals and one assist in total.
• Georginio Rutter has scored six times in his eight most recent appearances for Brighton in all competitions.
• Yankuba Minteh has contributed to six goals in his last six Premier League starts, scoring four and providing two assists.

Bournemouth

• Bournemouth are unbeaten in seven Premier League away games, winning five and drawing two.
• They have scored at least twice in each of their past eight top-flight away fixtures, the longest such run by any side in the division since Liverpool did so 10 times between May and December 2021.
• The Cherries are unbeaten in 10 midweek Premier League matches since a 2-0 defeat by Brighton in April 2023.
• Justin Kluivert's nine Premier League away goals this season have all come in his past seven appearances on the road. No Bournemouth player has ever scored 10 away goals in a top-flight campaign.
• Dango Ouattara has been directly involved in nine goals in his past 12 league games, scoring six and assisting three. It's as many as he had managed in his first 60 appearances.

Fabian Hürzeler's Bournemouth Press Conference

 

[Mortdecai]

 

[OzMike]

I will stay awake for this one and probably have an accident at work tomorrow using power tools, or maybe fall off a roof.
Like f*** I will, bedtime for me.

 

[essbee1]

I will stay awake for this one and probably have an accident at work tomorrow using power tools, or maybe fall off a roof.
Like f*** I will, bedtime for me.

Lack of commitment. Disgraceful.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Keep the momentum going lads.....

 

[Greg Bobkin]

This next game could be season-defining. These are a good side.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got a feeling about this one

 

[Flounce]

Michael Oliver is the ref. Has apparently reffed us at the Amex 13 times, we have won none of them

Am I right in thinking he was the ref who had a shocker of a game a few years ago against Liverpool?. He gave us nothing all game, every 50/50 went to Liverpool and a very very dubious penalty was given to Salah

 

[HangletonGull]

Micheal f***ing Oliver

 

[Beach Hut]

So excited

 

[Dick Head]

So excited

were loose

 

[Motogull]

Christ knows how this one will pan out.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Christ knows how this one will pan out.

Well, the pundit on 5live this morning (ex-Arsenal but I didn’t get the name) thinks Bournemouth will win easily despite them having the ‘2nd highest amount of injuries in the Premier League’, no mention of our injury list (1st place thanks). He said they are the perfect side to play us because they’ll low block us and hit us on the break.

He spoke of our possession game that gives opponents the advantage.

He spoke of Bournemouth’s brilliant attack.

He did not speak of FH’s tactics against Chelsea (30% possession).

He did not mention that Bournemouth could be playing two midfielders in defence, let’s see how watertight their low block will be tonight without
Senesi, Zabaryni, Hill (maybe?), Smith and Araujo?

 

[Zeberdi]

Leaving to head to Brighton in the next hour or so which will give me a chance to rest up in the hotel before heading to Falmer - really hopeful that there’s no repeat of the calamitous train fiasco of a fortnight ago.

Slightly nervous at what will likely be a very intense box to box match if both sides on form. As others have said, ‘Michael f***ing Oliver’ won’t be doing us any favours.

From us; no own goals, no red cards and convert the chances please lads.

 

[maltaseagull]

Leaving to head to Brighton in the next hour or so which will give me a chance to rest up in the hotel before heading to Falmer - really hopeful that there’s no repeat of the calamitous train fiasco of a fortnight ago.

Slightly nervous at what will likely be a very intense box to box match if both sides on form. As others have said, ‘Michael f***ing Oliver’ won’t be doing us any favours.

From us; no own goals, no red cards and convert the chances please lads.

Leaving for the Airport in 30 mins. Meeting 2 Granddaughters and their Mum for dinner before I leave them to to to the Amex. Fingers crossed I actually see a win! Last 2 visits were 2.2 v Forest and 1.2 V Villa !

 

[Peteinblack]

Micheal f***ing Oliver

 

[Flounce]

Leaving for the Airport in 30 mins. Meeting 2 Granddaughters and their Mum for dinner before I leave them to to to the Amex. Fingers crossed I actually see a win! Last 2 visits were 2.2 v Forest and 1.2 V Villa !

Would it be wrong to hope that your flight has a 12 hour delay?

 

[portlock seagull]

Leaving for the Airport in 30 mins. Meeting 2 Granddaughters and their Mum for dinner before I leave them to to to the Amex. Fingers crossed I actually see a win! Last 2 visits were 2.2 v Forest and 1.2 V Villa !

Have a fab time, promises to be a great game.

 

[smillie's garden]

I know at this point in the thread I’m supposed to leaving for Dean Court and such, but actually this is a big effing match - perhaps the most important one of the season so far if you believe in momentum etc, not to mention the chance to go level on points with the team currently in 6th place. Up the Albion.

 

[schmunk]

I know at this point in the thread I’m supposed to leaving for Dean Court and such,

I mean, it's a leisurely 2 hour walk to the AMEX, and not a choice I'd make, but You Do You.

Dean Court Road to American Express Stadium

maps.app.goo.gl