Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 13/15
Bookmaker: BetUS
Gameweek 22 concludes with a south-coast showdown under the lights on Monday night, as Brighton & Hove Albion host Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium.
Both sides come into the clash on the back of contrasting FA Cup fortunes, with the Seagulls buoyed by a famous win at Old Trafford and the Cherries reeling from penalty heartbreak.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Few teams can claim to have visited both the Etihad and Old Trafford in quick succession without defeat, but Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton achieved just that. After grinding out a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, the Seagulls stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 FA Cup triumph, Danny Welbeck once again haunting his former club.
December was a month to forget for Brighton, who failed to win any of their six Premier League fixtures, but 2026 has started on a brighter note. Two wins from their last three games in all competitions have contributed to a four-match unbeaten run, lifting spirits and keeping European hopes alive.
Brighton began the gameweek in 11th place, and victory on Monday would keep them within touching distance of the top seven. Home advantage could prove decisive—the Seagulls have collected 19 of their 29 league points at the Amex and have lost just twice in their last 18 home matches, both against Aston Villa.
Team News
The big boost for Brighton is the return of Carlos Baleba from AFCON duty, though Hurzeler warned the Manchester United target about fierce competition for places. Yankuba Minteh is also back from a dead leg, while Diego Gomez should be fit despite a knock at Old Trafford.
However, Mats Wieffer (toe), Solly March (knee), Adam Webster (knee), and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) remain sidelined. Hurzeler also revealed a bout of illness in the squad, though he declined to name affected players.
Bournemouth
Entertainment has been a hallmark of Hurzeler’s tenure, with Brighton scoring and conceding in 41 of his 59 Premier League games—the highest ratio of any manager with 50+ matches. Bournemouth’s recent numbers are equally eye-catching: their last seven fixtures have produced 35 goals, including a thrilling 3-3 FA Cup draw at Newcastle before bowing out on penalties.
That shootout defeat ended the Cherries’ brief resurgence following a 3-2 win over Tottenham, which snapped an 11-game winless run.
Andoni Iraola’s men now sit three points behind Brighton but face a daunting task to end a nine-match winless streak away from home. Their only road victory this season came at Tottenham in August, and they have conceded at least twice in every away game since.
Team News
Enes Unal (groin) and David Brooks (ankle) were injured in the cup defeat and will miss out, joining Will Dennis, Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert, and Ben Gannon-Doak on the sidelines.
Ryan Christie could return from a knee issue, while Alex Jimenez may deputize in attack following Antoine Semenyo’s departure.
Head-to-Head
Brighton have dominated recent meetings at the Amex, winning four straight home games against Bournemouth. However, the Cherries claimed a 2-1 victory in September’s reverse fixture, ending a run of three consecutive defeats to the Seagulls.
Conclusion
Brighton have avoided defeat in seven league games this season after conceding first, while Bournemouth have failed to win any of the six matches in which they opened the scoring.
Even if the visitors strike early, their defensive frailties on the road suggest another high-scoring contest—one that Brighton should edge to keep their European hopes alive.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 13/15
Bookmaker: BetUS
