Having been subjected to a rude awakening in the Europa League, Brighton & Hove Albion seek to get back on track in the Premier League when they welcome Bournemouth to the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
The Seagulls were beaten 3-2 by AEK Athens in their inaugural continental match on Thursday, while the Cherries most recently held Chelsea to a goalless draw in the top flight.
Match preview
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Despite a pair of Joao Pedro penalties - which were inexplicably only awarded following a VAR review on both occasions - Brighton were given a harsh welcome to life in the Europa League by AEK Athens, who left the South Coast of England with three points in the bag.
A stunning Djibril Sidibe header preceded Mijat Gacinovic's finish and a fortunate Ezequiel Ponce third - the striker's first effort was saved by Jason Steele before the rebound deflected into the back of the net off his toe - putting Roberto De Zerbi's side at an early disadvantage in a tantalising Group B.
A third Premier League win on the bounce would be the perfect tonic for De Zerbi's side, who have marched to back-to-back 3-1 triumphs over Newcastle United and Manchester United in their last two top-flight encounters, storming to victory at Old Trafford courtesy of strikes from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Pedro.
Not even Manchester City or a free-scoring Tottenham Hotspur can match Brighton's league-high tally of 15 goals so far this term, and De Zerbi's men occupy fifth place in the rankings owing to their impressive start, but defensive concerns are apparent.
Indeed, the Seagulls are still without a clean sheet in all competitions this season and have now gone 10 games without a shut-out since their 3-0 win over Arsenal back in May, but not since February have they been kept at bay down the other end at the Amex.
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As 0-0 draws go, Bournemouth's stalemate with Chelsea was certainly on the more entertaining end of the spectrum, but both defences ultimately won out to leave Andoni Iraola still searching for his first Premier League win as Cherries head coach.
Bournemouth certainly gave a good account of themselves against a side who were crowned European champions only two years ago, and a previous 2-2 draw versus Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium - where the Bees are seldom outclassed - can also be viewed in a positive light.
However, as one of five teams still without a maximum points haul in the 2023-24 Premier League - along with newly-promoted trio Burnley, Sheffield United, Luton Town and Everton - Bournemouth are once again fighting at the wrong end of the table in 15th spot.
Nevertheless, with a 3-2 EFL Cup success over Swansea City also on the record this season, Iraola's men head across the South Coast with a three-game unbeaten run to protect, and while clean sheets continue to evade Brighton, Bournemouth ended a 10-game run without a shut-out last weekend.
The Seagulls navigated 180 minutes without shipping a goal in last season's contests with Bournemouth, though, prevailing 1-0 at the Amex in February before going one better with a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium two months down the line.
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Team News
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Brighton's prospects of victory on Thursday night were not helped by an untimely double blow to Lewis Dunk and Evan Ferguson, who were forced to miss the clash with AEK through a minor muscular problem and illness respectively, while James Milner was taken off early in the second half.
The trio will need once-overs ahead of Sunday's visit of the Cherries - as will Pascal Gross (muscle) - while Jakub Moder and Julio Enciso will not be present owing to their knee injuries, and a few changes can be expected from the hosting manager.
Tariq Lamptey, Joel Veltman and Simon Adingra could all come back into the fray after playing their parts in last weekend's sensational Old Trafford success, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati has done enough to justify a first Premier League start.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth did not sustain any fresh concerns during their stalemate with Chelsea last time out, leaving a quartet of known absentees on the sidelines, including new signings Alex Scott (knee) and Tyler Adams (thigh), but the latter could be ready for fixtures with Stoke City or Arsenal before the end of the month.
There is also no timeline on the recoveries of Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) and Ryan Fredericks (calf), but Iraola should see no need to fix what is not broken following last week's valiant display against the Blues.
Lewis Cook was the star of the show in the middle of the park for the Cherries last week - making three tackles and five interceptions - and the one-time England international should continue alongside Philip Billing in the engine room.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Veltman, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Gilmour, Dahoud; Adingra, Lallana, Mitoma; Welbeck
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez; Billing, Cook; Tavernier, Christie, Sinisterra; Solanke
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Bournemouth
Fatigue and fresh concerns over as many as four players will both threaten Brighton's chances of an immediate return to winning ways, but De Zerbi's men have a taste for goals in the top flight, especially in front of the Amex crowd.
A front-footed Bournemouth can still trouble the Seagulls' permeable defence, but Brighton should make up for their shortcomings at the back with scintillating play in attack to prevail.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
