MY ACCOUNT
– Both teams have scored in eight of Brighton’s last nine Premier League games
– Bournemouth have added fresh attacking talent in the January transfer window
– Recommended bet: Back Both teams to score
After correctly predicting three results during the FA Cup fourth round, Simon Barlow will hope to land another winner when in-form Brighton entertain struggling Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League.
Kaoru Mitoma sealed a stirring comeback and the Seagulls’ place in the FA Cup fifth round with his stunning stoppage-time winner against Liverpool last Sunday.
After five wins in their last eight league games under Roberto De Zerbi, Albion are dreaming of Europe and can solidify their hold on the Premier League’s sixth place this weekend.
Bournemouth could not hold on for a win against Nottingham Forest last time out, but Gary O’Neil’s men at least halted a six-game losing skid in all competitions with the 1-1 home draw.
The Cherries boss should have some extra options to choose from this weekend after the club made three signings in the last two days of the January transfer window.
Team news
Brighton will be without at least two of the starting XI from the Liverpool win, with Evan Ferguson (Achilles) injured and Alexis Mac Allister suspended.
The Argentine midfielder collected his fifth Premier League caution of the season in Albion’s 2-2 draw at Leicester a fortnight ago.
But Moises Caicedo should return to the fold after being advised to stay away from the club last week while he was the subject of multiple transfer bids from Arsenal.
Levi Colwill is still out with a quad injury, and Adam Webster went off at half-time against Liverpool, so Jan-Paul van Hecke could make his second Premier League start of the season alongside Lewis Dunk in central defence.
Robert Sanchez will return in goal after De Zerbi named second-string keeper Jason Steele between the posts against Liverpool, but Adam Lallana is doubtful again.
Bournemouth could have a very different look this weekend as O’Neil starts to integrate a number of his six January signings.
Centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi and attacking midfielder Hamed Traore could be included on the bench, while Antoine Semenyo will vie for a starting berth with Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Christie.
Philip Billing, who missed the Forest clash due to a minor injury complaint, looks set to return alongside Jefferson Lerma in midfield, with Joe Rothwell dropping out.
Kieffer Moore will probably start in attack as Dominic Solanke (knee) has not yet returned to training, and Lewis Cook (knee) again looks set to miss out through injury.
The stats
Mitoma’s winning goal last Sunday was his fourth in his previous six appearances for the Seagulls.
He is currently the only player in the Premier League to rank among the top 10 for goals scored from open play and expected assists from open play per 90 minutes.
By scoring at home to Forest, Bournemouth avoided failing to find the back of the net in five consecutive league games for the first time since March 1975 when they were in League Division Three.
Before his move from Bristol City, Semenyo was among the top 20% of Championship forwards for goal contributions, averaging 0.43 non-penalty goals and 0.22 assists per 90 minutes.
Prediction
Brighton characteristically raised their game to beat Liverpool for a second time in 15 days last weekend and seem to have no trouble when it comes to performing against the perceived big clubs.
But the Seagulls have dropped points at home to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest this season, so victory may not be as clear-cut as some expect.
Albion’s attacking resources are becoming a little stretched, too, with no Ferguson, Mac Allister or potentially Lallana for the visit of a refreshed and refurnished Cherries side.
Bournemouth may ultimately fail to earn any precious points at the Amex Stadium, as their atrocious away record this season indicates is likely, but they can score.
Brighton play a high defensive line at home and can be punished by pacy, incisive counter-attacking.
And while Bournemouth have so far been the Premier League’s joint-least productive counter-attacking side, the forwards that O’Neil added to his ranks in January can exploit these situations.
Back both teams to score on Saturday at evens with LiveScore Bet.
