Big Match Preview: Bournemouth Vs Brighton In South Coast Derby

Friday, 9 September 2022 06:00

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Brighton make the short trip to Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) for a 3pm kick-off.

The first south-coast derby of the season is likely to be contested by two sides in the process of recruiting new managers.

Albion look set to lose boss Graham Potter to Chelsea imminently in a massive £16m deal.

The Cherries, meanwhile, dispensed with erstwhile head coach Scott Parker after he criticised the club's recruitment — the former England midfielder incurring the wraith of owner Maxim Demin.

This will be the first meeting between the teams since Bournemouth's 3-1 home victory in January 2020.

Brighton have been in sparkling form, winning four of their six matches to date to romp towards the Premier League summit..

Credit: Footy Stats.

Bournemouth fans have experienced the fluctuating fortunes of 9-0, 4-0 and 3-0 hammerings against title chasing Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal respectively, alongside victories over fellow strugglers Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Credit: Footy Stats.

Summer transfer window

Brighton 6/10

In terms of summer signings, Brighton once again recruited well, spending a total of around £50m on Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Simon Adingra and deadline day coup Billy Gilmour, while Levi Colwill arrived on loan as the makeweight for Marc Cucurella's £63m departure to Chelsea.

They did lose several big names though.

In addition to player of the year Cucurella, the Seagulls sold Yves Bissouma, Neal Maupay, Leo Ostigard and Matt Clarke, making a summer profit of around £70m as the club's buy low, sell high policy continues.

Bournemouth 2/10

Marcos Senesi (right) challenges for the ball with Roma's Tammy Abraham (Credit: Sky Sports)

Bournemouth had a quiet summer transfer window, their only notable additions being Marcus Tavernier and Marcos Senesi for a combined £25m.

Otherwise it was a scramble for freebies, prompting Parker's call to arms and ultimate departure.

Injury and suspension news

Bournemouth

The Cherries' Joseph Rothwell may be available again this weekend, but David Brooks, Junior Stanislas and Benjamin Pearson are all ruled out.

Brooks said: "I am working hard alongside the excellent coaching team at Bournemouth and I'm hoping to be back on the pitch soon."

Brighton

Jakub Moder's knee injury means he's out until next year, while Adam Lallana has a series of niggling issues which rule him out until next month.

The news on Jeremy Sarmiento is more promising, with a late fitness test for the young winger, who returned to training in recent weeks.