Live on Sky: Brighton vs Bournemouth
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League, and match highlights at 5.15pm on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app
Monday 30 December 2019 11:55, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Brighton vs Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
Live Premier League
Team news
Brighton will check on Lewis Dunk ahead of the clash with Bournemouth.
Seagulls captain Dunk missed the 2-1 loss at Tottenham with a virus - a game where Neal Maupay and Davy Propper were left on the bench.
Solly March and Jose Izquierdo will continue to miss out as boss Graham Potter promises changes.
Bournemouth will welcome back Diego Rico from suspension at the Amex Stadium.
Spanish left-back Rico was absent for the 1-1 draw with Arsenal after collecting his fifth booking of the season, with academy graduate Jack Simpson deputising.
Cherries captain Simon Francis is a doubt after missing the Gunners game with a bruised knee, while a host of first-team players, including Nathan Ake, Adam Smith and Arnaut Danjuma, remain sidelined.
How to follow
Watch the game on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from midday (Kick-off 12.30pm), or follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published at 5.15pm on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
Opta stats
- Brighton are winless in their four Premier League matches with Bournemouth (D1 L3), losing this exact fixture 5-0 last season.
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five away games against Brighton in all competitions (W2 D3), since a 3-2 loss in January 2008 in League One.
- After winning their final league game of 2016 and 2017, Bournemouth lost their final Premier League of 2018, 4-1 at Manchester United.
- Brighton have lost nine Premier League home games in 2019, more than any other side in the competition.
- Bournemouth won their last Premier League away game, 1-0 against Chelsea. They last won back-to-back league games on the road in October 2018. The Cherries are also unbeaten in their last three Premier League away games against fellow south coast sides, netting 11 goals in that run (W2 D1).
Charlie's prediction
These two teams are interesting. I thought Brighton were unlucky at Tottenham, they played well but walked away with nothing. I do not see many danger signs for Brighton this term, but the same cannot be said about Bournemouth.
They could have had two or three in the first half against Arsenal, but they lacked the cutting edge. Bournemouth are only two points above the relegation zone, as are Brighton, so this is a game neither can lose.
Brighton have more pace going forward and a higher threat of scoring, and Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay could be the match-winners.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
