Cherries go into Brighton derby as favourites

AFCB keep surprising teams and they now come into the local match against Brighton as favourites on recent form. Fourth from the top of the Championship, the Cherries are in good shape as the Sky TV cameras come to town and while they might not be able to emulate the scoreline of last weekend they certainly won't be holding back.

Brighton players really need the points so I am expecting a very tricky match.

Meanwhile, it has not been the easiest of times for Sami Hyypia at Brighton who sit four places off the bottom as they come into this match. It is simply not where you would expect Brighton, one of last season's play-off teams to be. They have lost a few players though like Leonardo Ulloa, Andrea Orlandi, Thomaz Kuszczak and Will Buckley, but the new signings haven't had the impact that Hyypia would have wished for.

Brighton have become the draw specialists picking up six points from their last seven games. they aren't getting beaten that often, but the wins just aren't coming for them. What is worse is that they have been in winning positions against Rotherham and Cardiff and did not hold on. Their goal average is also down at 0.93 per game and they are struggle to hit the back of the net. Lewis Dunk is their highest goalscorer on four in the league and one in the League Cup. 

So what can we expect against the Cherries. Well Sami Hyypia has asked his team to show more character. They have been struggling to play two good halves in matches, but they have some good players. I do like the marauding play of Rohan Ince in midfield and Greer and Caldoron will always battle for everything at the back. Hyppia has brought in ex-Barnsley striker Chris O'Grady, while Kazenga Lua Lua and Craig Mackail-Smith have been more out that in the team. Sam Baldock has been relied on up front but just has not been scoring enough.

Meanwhile, AFCB come into the game knowing that a win could take them back to the top of the Championship after an impressive month of wins. The Cherries are going to take some stopping and I don't believe that the Seagulls will be able to fly out of Dean Court with any points.

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Tomorrow Cherry Chimes will release its November Newsletter. A historic month for the Cherries, you can catch up on last month's big stories on the blog and read the special newsletter story - Are the Cherries destined for Cup success?

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