Bournemouth return to the Vitality Stadium on September 13 with momentum after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur before the international break.
Andoni Iraola’s men have looked solid at the back and disciplined in midfield, traits that earned them praise and will be tested again by an unpredictable Brighton & Hove Albion side.
The season has been a mixed bag for the visitors, the recent win over Manchester City a reminder of their ability to beat the big boys but the earlier defeat to Everton and the draw with Fulham showing how inconsistency is holding them back from pushing higher up the table.
Fabian Hurzeler has spent much of the break re-calibrating his options, knowing this trip to Bournemouth will require intent and clarity.
Bournemouth were one of the busiest clubs in the final hours of the window, signing full-back Alex Jimenez from AC Milan on loan with a buy option and Serbian defender Veljko Milosavljevic for £13 million ($17m) from Red Star Belgrade, two deals announced on September 1 that were designed to strengthen the defensive core for the coming months.
Brighton were more active at both ends of the pitch, allowing Tariq Lamptey, who had made 122 appearances for the club, to join Fiorentina and also letting go Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso to Strasbourg.
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Bournemouth vs. Brighton lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Bournemouth continue to deal with several injury concerns ahead of their meeting with Brighton.
Enes Unal remains a long-term absentee after undergoing knee ligament surgery in January and is not expected back until October. Lewis Cook is also sidelined with a knee problem and doesn’t look likely to start against the south-coast club. Adam Smith is out with a hamstring issue and will miss the next few weeks.
Marcus Tavernier could drop out with Justin Kluivert fit to return. Ryan Christie and Kluivert both featured off the bench against Tottenham last weekend, and while Christie may be eased back in, Kluivert is expected to return to the starting XI. Julian Araujo is available again after suspension.
The midfield could see Alex Scott continue after solid performances, with Antoine Semenyo and David Brooks pushing to keep their places out wide while new signing Bafode Diakite aims to secure a spot in defence alongside Marcos Senesi.
New signings Jimenez and Milosavljevic may start this game on the bench.
Bournemouth predicted starting XI (4-1-4-1, right to left): Petrovic (GK) — Araujo, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert — Adams — Brooks, Scott, Kluivert, Semenyo — Evanilson
Injured: Unal (knee), Cook (knee), Smith (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Brighton will be without a handful of key players once again as they prepare to face Bournemouth.
Adam Webster remains a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery for a knee ligament injury in July and is not expected back this season, and Solly March is targeting a return in October from a knee issue.
Mats Wieffer missed the Manchester City game with a minor knock, but Hurzeler confirmed he would return to the squad after the international break and is expected to start against Bournemouth.
The midfield spot alongside Carlos Baleba remains competitive with Jack Hinshelwood and Yasin Ayari rotating depending on fitness and matchups.
Matt O’Riley has departed on loan to Marseille, opening the door for Brajan Gruda to take over the central attacking role. Gruda, who scored the winner against City, is expected to start behind Georginio Rutter, who made his return off the bench in that game.
Brighton predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Verbruggen (GK) — Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper — Baleba, Hinshelwood — Minteh, Gruda, Mitoma — Rutter
Injured: Webster (knee), March (knee)
Suspended: None
Bournemouth vs. Brighton match details
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Kickoff time: 3 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT
- Location: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: Paul Howard
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