Bournemouth vs Brighton Match Preview – Premier League 2025/26
Match Details & Fixture Information
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Kick-off Time: 3:00 PM BST (10:00 AM ET / 7:30 PM IST)
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Competition: Premier League 2025/26 – Matchday 4
Referee: Simon Hooper
VAR: Paul Tierney
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Premier League (UK), NBC Sports (US)
Pre-Match Analysis & Team Form
AFC Bournemouth Current Form & League Position
Bournemouth currently rank 7th in the Premier League table, reflecting their impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign. The Cherries have established themselves as a formidable Premier League side under their management, consistently punching above their weight at the Vitality Stadium.
Recent Premier League Form:
- Strong home performances at the Vitality Stadium
- Effective counter-attacking style with pace in wide areas
- Tyler Adams has been one of the most impressive players at the start of this Premier League season
- Solid defensive organization with quick transitions
- Set-piece threat from dead-ball situations
Brighton & Hove Albion Current Form & Away Record
Brighton & Hove Albion currently hold 11th position in the Premier League, showcasing their continued development as an established top-flight club. The Seagulls have built a reputation for playing attractive, possession-based football while maintaining defensive solidity away from home.
Recent Away Form:
- Technical passing game with patient build-up play
- Strong pressing system to win ball in advanced areas
- Versatile attacking options with multiple goal threats
- Disciplined defensive structure in away fixtures
- Experience in south coast derbies and high-pressure matches
Team News & Injury Updates
AFC Bournemouth Injury List & Squad Updates
Key Players Available:
- Tyler Adams leading the midfield with impressive performances
- Alex Scott and Ryan Christie providing creative options
- Full squad depth available for selection
- No major injury concerns heading into the fixture
Expected Lineup Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Bournemouth XI:
- Goalkeeper: Neto
- Defense: Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Milos Kerkez
- Midfield: Tyler Adams, Ryan Christie
- Attack: Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert
- Striker: Evanilson
Brighton & Hove Albion Injury List & Squad News
Key Players Expected:
- Attacking options featuring experienced Premier League forwards
- Midfield creativity through technical players
- Defensive stability with organized backline
- Squad rotation options available for tactical flexibility
Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1
Predicted Brighton XI:
- Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
- Defense: Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pervis Estupiñán
- Midfield: Billy Gilmour, Pascal Groß
- Attack: Solly March, Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma
- Striker: Danny Welbeck
Head-to-Head Record & Historical Analysis
Recent Encounters Between Bournemouth and Brighton
Last 5 Meetings (All Competitions):
- Brighton 2-1 Bournemouth (February 25, 2025) – Joao Pedro 12′ (pen), Danny Welbeck 75′; Justin Kluivert 61′
- Bournemouth 3-0 Brighton (April 2024) – Vitality Stadium
- Brighton 4-1 Bournemouth (December 2023) – Amex Stadium
- Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton (August 2023) – Vitality Stadium
- Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth (February 2023) – Amex Stadium
Key Statistical Trends:
- Brighton have won five of their last six meetings with Bournemouth, with Bournemouth’s only victory being a 3-0 home success in April 2024
- Brighton beat Bournemouth 2-1 in the corresponding match between the two sides last season
- Goals have been common in recent encounters between these sides
- Home advantage has played a crucial role in recent results
Bournemouth vs Brighton – All-Time Record
Total Premier League Meetings: 12 matches Bournemouth Wins: 3 Draws: 2 Brighton Wins: 7 Bournemouth Goals For: 14 Brighton Goals For: 21
Tactical Analysis & Key Battles
AFC Bournemouth’s Tactical Approach
Attacking Philosophy:
- Direct, counter-attacking style with pace on the flanks
- Physical presence in the box with aerial threat
- Quick transitions from defense to attack
- Wide play through overlapping full-backs
- Set-piece delivery into dangerous areas
Defensive Structure:
- Compact defensive block to frustrate opposition build-up
- Aggressive pressing in midfield third
- Strong aerial defending from set-pieces
- Quick counter-pressing when possession is lost
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Game Plan
Attacking Strategy:
- Patient possession-based build-up play
- Technical passing combinations in final third
- Width provided by attacking full-backs
- Creative midfield players finding space between lines
- Clinical finishing from experienced forwards
Defensive Organization:
- High defensive line with coordinated offside trap
- Pressing triggers to win ball in advanced positions
- Defensive solidity through organized shape
- Quick distribution to start attacking phases
Key Individual Battles
Tyler Adams vs Pascal Groß The midfield battle will be crucial, with Adams’ energy and pressing against Groß’s technical ability and creative passing.
Justin Kluivert vs Pervis Estupiñán The wide battle on Bournemouth’s right flank could be decisive, with Kluivert’s pace against Estupiñán’s defensive positioning.
Evanilson vs Lewis Dunk The physical contest between Bournemouth’s striker and Brighton’s experienced center-back will influence aerial duels and set-piece situations.
Betting Odds & Market Analysis
Match Result Odds (Approximate)
Full-Time Result:
- Bournemouth Win: 2.60 (8/5)
- Draw: 3.20 (11/5)
- Brighton Win: 2.80 (9/5)
Both Teams To Score:
- Yes: 1.70
- No: 2.15
Over/Under Goals Market:
- Over 2.5 Goals: 1.85
- Under 2.5 Goals: 1.95
Value Betting Opportunities
Recommended Markets:
- Both teams to score – Yes
- Over 2.5 goals in the match
- Justin Kluivert anytime scorer
- Danny Welbeck anytime scorer
- Match to have 4+ corners in first half
South Coast Derby Significance
Local Rivalry Context
This fixture represents more than just three Premier League points, as it’s a crucial south coast encounter between two clubs with contrasting philosophies but similar ambitions. Both teams have established themselves as solid Premier League sides, making this clash particularly significant for regional bragging rights.
Historical Significance:
- Geographic proximity creating natural rivalry
- Both clubs’ recent rise to Premier League prominence
- Tactical contrasts making for engaging encounters
- Points crucial for both teams’ season objectives
Score Prediction & Match Outcome
Detailed Score Prediction Analysis
Primary Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton
Reasoning Behind Prediction:
- Bournemouth’s strong home record at the Vitality Stadium
- Brighton’s mixed away form against physical opponents
- Recent head-to-head suggests close, high-scoring encounters
- Home advantage crucial in evenly-matched fixture
- Both teams’ attacking capabilities likely to produce goals
Alternative Scoreline Predictions:
- Conservative Estimate: Bournemouth 1-0 Brighton (20% probability)
- High-Scoring Scenario: Bournemouth 3-2 Brighton (18% probability)
- Away Win Possibility: Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton (25% probability)
Goal Scorer Predictions
First Goal Scorer:
- Evanilson (22% chance)
- Danny Welbeck (20% chance)
- Justin Kluivert (18% chance)
Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions:
- Evanilson: 55% chance
- Danny Welbeck: 50% chance
- Justin Kluivert: 45% chance
- Joao Pedro: 40% chance
- Antoine Semenyo: 35% chance
Key Factors & Match Determinants
Bournemouth’s Path to Victory
Critical Success Factors:
- Utilizing pace on the counter-attack effectively
- Winning aerial duels and second balls
- Converting set-piece opportunities
- Maintaining defensive discipline and shape
- Exploiting Brighton’s potential defensive vulnerabilities
Brighton’s Route to Three Points
Essential Elements:
- Dominating possession and territory
- Creating clear-cut chances through patient build-up
- Defensive organization to nullify Bournemouth’s counter-attacks
- Clinical finishing from limited opportunities
- Managing the physical battle in midfield
Weather & External Factors
Expected Conditions:
- Mild September weather conditions
- Potential for light wind affecting long passes
- Excellent pitch conditions at Vitality Stadium
- Passionate home support creating intimidating atmosphere
- International break allowing both teams full preparation time
Match Preview Summary & Final Thoughts
This Premier League encounter promises to be an engaging tactical battle between two well-organized teams with contrasting styles. Bournemouth’s direct, physical approach will test Brighton’s technical passing game, while the Seagulls’ possession-based philosophy could frustrate the home side’s counter-attacking plans.
The recent head-to-head record favors Brighton, but Bournemouth’s impressive home form and the significance of this south coast derby could level the playing field. Both teams possess quality in key areas, with experienced Premier League players capable of deciding the outcome.
Bournemouth’s Advantages:
- Home crowd support at the Vitality Stadium
- Physical presence and aerial threat
- Counter-attacking pace and directness
- Set-piece delivery and finishing ability
Brighton’s Strengths:
- Superior head-to-head recent record
- Technical superiority in possession
- Experience in away fixtures
- Clinical finishing from set-piece situations
Final Verdict: This fixture has all the ingredients for an entertaining encounter. While Brighton’s recent dominance in this fixture suggests they start as slight favorites, Bournemouth’s home advantage and improved squad depth make them formidable opponents. The prediction of a narrow home victory reflects the even nature of this contest, with both teams likely to contribute to an engaging, goal-filled match.
The tactical battle between Tyler Adams’ energy for Bournemouth and Brighton’s technical midfield could prove decisive, while the finishing quality of players like Danny Welbeck and Justin Kluivert may ultimately determine the outcome in what promises to be a closely-fought south coast encounter.
