PREVIEW: Brighton look to close in on Europe against depleted Bournemouth | OneFootball

Mid-table Brighton visit lowly Bournemouth hoping to reassert themselves in the Premier League’s race for Europe at the Vitality Stadium.

The Seagulls were winless during a difficult festive period, but are unbeaten in their opening three games of 2026 – including their 1-1 draw at the Etihad – and will go 10th with a win.

But the hosts’ 3-2 win against Tottenham last time out – which sent them second – is their only win since late October, with any hope of continental football all but gone.

Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler revealed several players are hoping to recover from an illness that spread around the club during the week, with full-back Mats Wieffer definitely out.

However, Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba has returned “in good shape and good mood” from the African Cup of Nations, and winger Yankuba Minteh also returns.

Hürzeler was full of praise for his medical team, who have managed to get what the German described as an “incredible amount of minutes” from in-form striker Danny Welbeck.

He said: “He’s getting better and better but we have to manage him.

“You need these kind of role models in your team because they can help to hold the young players to account.”

The 35-year-old has eight goals this season, having started 12 league matches and featured in 20, and will look to increase his tally in what Brighton will see as a very winnable clash.

Facing a thinning squad due to injuries and the £62m sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, Andoni Iraola said preparing for Brighton has been difficult for the opposite reason.

He said: “In the last 30 minutes they have a plus-10 goal difference, which is massive. It says a lot about the subs, who keep or even increase their level.

“They like to change their starting 11, have so many routes to goal.”

The Spanish manager stated the club will need at least three more signings despite time ticking away in the January transfer window.

What’s certain is that the Cherries haven’t found adequate replacements for defenders Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez, their 40 goals conceded being the worst record outside the Premier League’s bottom three.

But arguing that “proper football is played at night”, a second cause for optimism is the 19 points his side have collected at home compared to just seven on the road.

He will be without Enes Ünal for at least two weeks, while David Brooks and Ryan Christie are both doubts heading into what is likely a fight for Bournemouth’s own pride.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm.