Brighton vs Bournemouth preview ahead of their Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium.
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT, Monday 19 January 2026 | Amex Stadium, Brighton
The Premier League’s Matchday 22 concludes Monday night on the south coast as Brighton host Bournemouth in what promises to be an open, chance-filled encounter between two mid-table sides with contrasting recent fortunes but shared attacking ambitions.
Brighton vs Bournemouth preview and team news
Brighton’s Momentum Building
The Seagulls enter this fixture unbeaten in four matches across all competitions, having made an impressive start to 2026 after a dismal December that yielded no wins in six league games. Fabian Hürzeler’s side held Manchester City to a credible 1-1 draw at the Etihad before producing a stunning FA Cup giant-killing, defeating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford. Currently 11th on 29 points, Brighton sit just four points adrift of the European places with momentum firmly on their side.
Brighton’s home record against Bournemouth is formidable—the Seagulls have won the last four meetings at the Amex and lost just once in six Premier League home encounters with the Cherries. Kaoru Mitoma will be particularly motivated as he prepares for his 100th Premier League appearance, having scored more top-flight goals against Bournemouth (five) than any other opponent.
Veteran striker Danny Welbeck remains central to Brighton’s attacking output with eight league goals, providing a constant reference point for creative wide players like Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, who ranks second in the league for touches in the opposition box. However, Hürzeler must navigate several fitness concerns, with Adam Webster, Stefanos Tzimas, Mats Wieffer and Solomon March sidelined, while Minteh carries a dead leg doubt.
Bournemouth Seeking Rare Double
The Cherries broke an 11-game winless Premier League run with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tottenham last time out, Antoine Semenyo netting a 95th-minute winner. Now 15th on 26 points, Andoni Iraola’s side have shown resilience despite concerning form—they’ve won just three league matches since defeating Brighton 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium in September. Bournemouth are now seeking only their second-ever Premier League double over the Seagulls, having last achieved the feat in 2014-15.
Teenage striker Junior Kroupi has emerged as a genuine threat with seven league goals in his debut Premier League campaign—only four non-British teenagers have scored more in a single season. Bournemouth’s transitional, direct approach has yielded impressive results against top sides this season, including holding Chelsea twice and scoring four at Manchester United despite a 4-4 draw.
The Cherries face significant squad issues, missing Justin Kluivert, Ben Doak, Tyler Adams and Enes Ünal, while David Brooks and Ryan Christie face late fitness tests.
The Verdict: Goals Guaranteed
This fixture screams entertainment. Brighton have both scored and conceded in 69.5% of their 59 Premier League matches under Hürzeler—the highest ratio of any manager with 50+ games in competition history. Bournemouth’s Iraola ranks sixth-highest at 61.9%. The last five meetings have all featured over 2.5 goals, with Brighton and Bournemouth ranking among the Premier League’s most ill-disciplined sides (both with 50+ yellow cards).
Both teams average over 1.5 goals scored per match this season, while defensive vulnerabilities persist—Bournemouth have conceded 40 goals (17th in the league) and Brighton 28. With the sides having not drawn in their last 11 encounters, expect a decisive, open affair with plenty of goalmouth action as Brighton look to maintain home dominance and Bournemouth seek revenge for recent setbacks at the Amex.
Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Bournemouth (Over 3.5 goals)
This Brighton vs Bournemouth preview suggests an open and attacking contest.
