Brighton vs Bournemouth preview, predictions & possible XIs

Two sides looking very much over their shoulder meet at the Amex for Saturday’s early kick-off, Brighton vs Bournemouth.

Neither Brighton or Bournemouth enjoyed much Boxing Day cheer against north London opposition as Spurs beat Brighton and the Gunners held the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium.

Brighton have now won just once in their last eight Premier League games and sit just three points above the drop zone. It has been a difficult run in which they have played six of the current top eight sides plus Arsenal.

Bournemouth have been struggling in equal measure, winning only two matches in the last 13 games and just once in the last eight. They have scored just three goals in their last six Premier League home games and will be looking for some better times as they travel along the South Coast to Brighton.

When is Brighton vs Bournemouth and where can I watch live?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: The American Express Community Stadium, Falmer, Brighton

Date: Saturday, 28 December 2019

Kick-off: 12:30 PM (UK time)

TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Football and live online on the Sky Sports app.

Last five meetings: Brighton vs Bournemouth

19 September 2017: Bournemouth 1-0 Brighton (League Cup)

01 January 2018: Brighton 2-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)

22 December 2018: Bournemouth 2-0 Brighton (Premier League)

05 January 2019: Bournemouth 1-3 Brighton (FA Cup)

13 April 2019: Brighton 0-5 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Aggregate Score: Brighton (LWLDL) 5-11 Bournemouth (WLWDW)

Team news

Confirmed Brighton XI: Ryan; Montoya, Dunk, Duffy, Burn; Propper, Bissouma, Mooy; Jahanbakhsh, Maupay, Trossard.

Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.

Bournemouth confirmed XI: Ramsdale; Stacey, S.Cook, Mepham, Rico; Stanislas, Gosling, Billing; H. Wilson, Solanke, King.

Squawka prediction

With neither side in any sort of form it is unlikely to be a classic. With the stakes so high, the game will almost certainly be a tense affair with Brighton trying to impose themselves on the visitors as quickly as possible.

Brighton’s form is mainly due to the difficult run of fixtures and is not necessarily a reflection of a side without talent. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will feel injuries have hampered their campaign up to this point but damaging defeats to Burnley, Palace and Newcastle have left them sitting closer to the drop zone than they’d like.

Scoreline prediction: Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth