Happy New Year!
Brighton & Hove Albion now sit just two points above the Cherries and Bournemouth now have the opportunity to potentially enter 2018 as the highest place southern club if they can get a win against Brighton today. Brighton have been picking up points though at home and they have managed to hold some good teams at the Amex like Burnley, Everton and Southampton. They are quite the draw specialists, but Bournemouth will be aiming for more from this game.
Brighton's weakness has probably been upfront. While Glenn Murray gives them good height and presence in the forward line they have not seen Tomer Hemed have as big an impact on games as he might have. Jose Izquierdo has probably played more games than he might have if Sam Baldock had been fit, while Isah Brown has yet to find the net. Chris Hughton might not have that many options, but Pascal Gross has been a bright light, scoring against Watford in their last home win.
Anthony Knockaert and Solly March were match winners in the Championship and they have had to step up this season. Dale Stephens and Davy Pröpper have also been involved in most games but have not been hot in front of goal. What Brighton do well though is compete and they are good at grinding out results. Apart from the 1-5 Liverpool match they have not been embarrassed so Bournemouth know they will be tested.
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Brighton come into this game after a long trip to Newcastle which won't be ideal for them. But they did get an away point so they will be thinking they can build on that. Whether it feels like a derby or not these are three points that both teams will feel they can take so I'm hoping for an open game.
It will be a return to Brighton for Steve Cook of course and he may feel slightly under more pressure than others to have a good game. He has been trying to get forward for more goals and it wouldn't surprise me if he is one to watch in this fixture.
Brighton Home Form
DDLDW
AFCB Away Form
WDDLL
Brighton & Hove Albion now sit just two points above the Cherries and Bournemouth now have the opportunity to potentially enter 2018 as the highest place southern club if they can get a win against Brighton today. Brighton have been picking up points though at home and they have managed to hold some good teams at the Amex like Burnley, Everton and Southampton. They are quite the draw specialists, but Bournemouth will be aiming for more from this game.
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| Brighton at Bournemouth earlier in the season |
Anthony Knockaert and Solly March were match winners in the Championship and they have had to step up this season. Dale Stephens and Davy Pröpper have also been involved in most games but have not been hot in front of goal. What Brighton do well though is compete and they are good at grinding out results. Apart from the 1-5 Liverpool match they have not been embarrassed so Bournemouth know they will be tested.
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It will be a return to Brighton for Steve Cook of course and he may feel slightly under more pressure than others to have a good game. He has been trying to get forward for more goals and it wouldn't surprise me if he is one to watch in this fixture.
Brighton Home Form
DDLDW
AFCB Away Form
WDDLL
Possible AFCB line up
 AFCB Subs: Boruc, A Smith, Simpson, Surman, L Cook, Pugh, Mousset |
The Guardian Half time report- see Cherry Chimes' entry
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