Bournemouth v Brighton preview: South coast sides do battle
The 24-year-old grabbed one of their two goals as Gary O’Neil’s side posted a comeback victory for the first time since October, moving out of the relegation zone in the process.
It has been a long season for the Cherries, who have never been far away from bottom of the table, but two wins from their last three games (L1) has renewed belief that they can avoid the drop.
With six games to come against sides also currently in the relegation battle, their home form will be crucial in steering clear of trouble, given 19 of their 27 points have been collected at the Vitality Stadium (W5, D4, L5).
Supporters may be optimistic of extending that decent record against visitors Brighton, who haven’t won an away league game against Bournemouth in any of their last six attempts (D1, L5).
But the Seagulls ought to be full of confidence for this trip west thanks to a superb run of one defeat in ten PL matches this calendar year (W5, D4), whilst they also remain unbeaten in six top-flight fixtures on the road (W3, D3).
Such form has moved Roberto De Zerbi’s side up to sixth place in the table and leaves them well-placed to secure a place in European football for the first time in their history.
Captain Lewis Dunk says qualifying for a continental competition is something they have “got to grasp,” and with games in hand on all of the teams around them, few may back against Brighton reaching the Europa Conference League as a minimum.
Key battle: Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke netted his first PL goal against Brighton in 2018, and has won four of his five H2Hs with the Seagulls (L1).
Looking to outscore him could be opposition striker Danny Welbeck, who has seen his team beaten in just three of his last 27 goalscoring appearances (W16, D8).
Hot stat: Ten of Brighton’s dozen away league games, including seven in a row, have seen both teams score on the day - a PL high.
