Brighton vs Bournemouth prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-02-03 15:00.
With the transfer window now closed, Brighton can look back on a successful January that saw them remain unbeaten while also keeping hold of star midfielder Moisés Caicedo. The Seagulls have continued to soar under Roberto de Zerbi, with their 31 point-haul their most at the halfway stage of any top-flight season, a tally that leaves them inside the top-six ahead of this round and dreaming of qualifying for European competition for the first time ever.
Brighton knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup at the weekend with a stoppage-time winner, but de Zerbi still wasnât impressed with his charges, stating âwe can improve a lotâ. Still, with Arsenal the only side to beat the Seagulls over 90 minutes since the seasonâs resumption, the head coach must be delighted overall, especially with his fluid forward line which has only been outscored by three Premier League (PL) teams this term.
Bournemouth can only dream of being in that position as their plight continues to worsen, now sitting inside the relegation zone after a run of one win from 11 PL outings (D2, L8). The divisionâs worst defensive record underpins that miserable run, as theyâve conceded at least seven more than any other side in the league (42).
One of the busiest sides in the winter transfer window, the Cherriesâ top-flight survival could depend on how their plethora of new signings settle in and also on improvement on the road, as their return of five away points is the joint-worst in the division. Worryingly for boss Gary OâNeil, Bournemouth are three points worse off than their total at this stage of the 2019/20 season when they went on to be relegated, so improvements are quickly needed.
Players to watch: Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has directly contributed to five goals in his last six appearances (G4, A1), and the Seagulls scored two or more goals in each of those matches (W4, D1, L1). Opposite number Dango Ouattara registered an assist on his Bournemouth debut, while five of his six goals for Lorient this season were his team's first of the game.
Hot stat: Bournemouth appear vulnerable in the final 15 minutes of the first half this PL season, failing to score while conceding nine between the 30-minute mark and half-time.