Roberto De Zerbi will expect a swift response from his Brighton side as they take on Bournemouth, who are searching for their first win.
A mixed-bag week out of the way for Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton & Hove Albion will now look to pick up where they left off last weekend when they take on Bournemouth on Sunday. Two stellar victories in the Premier League with a 3-1 scoreline on either side of the international break have propelled the Seagulls to new heights. The win at Old Trafford against Manchester United filled them with confidence, only for a rude awakening of European football in midweek.
AEK Athens handed a telling blow to Brighton at the Amex as the Seagulls lost their maiden European game with a 2-3 scoreline. Two Joao Pedro penalties did not prove sufficient for De Zerbi’s men to get something from the game, as Athens substitute Ezequiel Ponce broke Brighton’s hearts by scoring the winner.
Roberto's reaction to tonight's defeat. 🎥
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 21, 2023
De Zerbi will quickly want his side to put that game aside and re-focus on matters in the Premier League. They currently sit fifth in the standings after four victories from five games and will aim to break into the top four with a winning performance against Bournemouth while hoping someone above slips up.
Andoni Iraola, who came with a glowing reputation to the Premier League for his tactical nous and adapting modern football methods, is yet to bag his first league win. Bournemouth did trump over Swansea City in the EFL Cup. But without a victory in the top division, the pressure continues to mount on the Cherries manager.
Last weekend’s game against Chelsea drew plenty of praise as Iraola’s men put on a show against the Blues. Results and performances of that sort could positively affect a struggling side, but throughout the last few games, the players have clearly adapted better to their manager’s methods.
So far, the dreadful performances of those below the Cherries have ensured Iraola’s men are out of the danger zone. Hence, Bournemouth need wins under their bag, and a good result away at the Amex would boost their confidence. Itaola will also sense this is possibly the best time to face a hurt Brighton side.
Team News & Tactics
Brighton & Hove Albion
Roberto De Zerbi has insisted on making changes for the Bournemouth clash, which seems on track with his ideas since last weekend against Manchester United. Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder remain long-term absentees. But Lewis Dunk and Evan Ferguson should also miss out against the Cherries.
RDZ on the big leaders in our squad. 👊
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 22, 2023
Moreover, James Milner hobbled off against AEK Athens, which has caused mild concerns for De Zerbi. The Seagulls boss also wants to manage the fitness of certain players, including Solly March, who did play for extended periods during midweek.
With Dunk absent, Igor could have another run in the side to get used to De Zerbi’s ideas. Adam Webster could replace Jan Paul van Hecke at the back, while Joel Veltman could take Milner’s spot at right back. Further behind, De Zerbi could ponder changing his goalkeeper again, but for consistency, Jason Steele could continue.
Adam Lallana could come in for Joao Pedro, while Danny Welbeck could lead the line for the Seagulls. Kaoru Mitoma seems essential to De Zerbi, so he should keep his place. But Simon Adingra could replace March on the right flank.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steele; Veltman, Webster, Igor, Lamptey; Gross, Dahoud; Adringa, Lallana, Mitoma; Welbeck
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola has some short and long-term issues with his current players. Summer signings Alex Scott and Tyler Adams are on the road to recovery, and Bournemouth will hope to have the duo fit for the Stoke City and Arsenal games in the coming period, with the Brighton game coming too soon.
"We need to have very good individual performances, win our duels"
Andoni ahead of #BHABOU 💬 pic.twitter.com/sG95Btf5tf
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 23, 2023
Emiliano Marcondes and Ryan Fredericks are long-term absentees. But overall, there are no fresh concerns from last weekend’s draw against Chelsea. Lewis Cook, the best Cherries player against the Blues, will again keep his place alongside Philip Billing in the middle of the park.
At the back, the hardworking Max Aarons will continue at right-back, with Milos Kerkez on the other flank. Between them, Iraola will keep faith in the central defensive partnership of Illia Zabarnyi and Lloyd Kelly to stop the Brighton attackers.
Luis Sinisterra could replace Dango Ouattara on the left flank, while Iraola will keep the other three attackers from last weekend in their positions. Ryan Christie will play the No.10 role behind Dominic Solanke, while Marcus Tavernier will remain in the right-wing slot.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez; Cook, Billing; Tavernier, Christie, Sinisterra; Solanke
Key Stats
- Brighton & Hove Albion have not kept a clean sheet this season in all competitions.
- Brighton & Hove Albion are the Premier League’s second-highest scorers with 15 goals in five games.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Brighton & Hove Albion’s last 6 games in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth have failed to win their last nine matches in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth ended their run of ten games without a clean sheet with a draw against Chelsea.
Player to Watch
Kaoru Mitoma
Mitoma had a solid start to his season, with three assists and a goal. He has not provided either in his last two matches across all competition, something Roberto De Zerbi will worry might become a trend with the Japanese winger.
Mitoma has made himself an essential part of the system, so much so that he keeps high-profile Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati on the bench. The Japanese star must bring more output to his game and help the Seagull be more ruthless in the attacking third. Games like these against Bournemouth could help him, but he must take his chances.
Prediction
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Bournemouth
Brighton’s inability to keep clean sheets could see them concede yet again, but their attacking players will once more seal the three points for De Zerbi’s men. As things stand, Bournemouth are getting to a better place than they were at the start of the campaign under Andoni Iraola, but they may have to wait longer to get their first win.
Brighton will seem hurt from their midweek excursions, but Roberto De Zerbi’s power to shake up things with his squad could bring the freshness needed to deal with tricky clashes like this one. The Seagulls are overwhelming favourites to get three points on Sunday and keep the pressure on the Premier League’s top four.
