Bournemouth

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Fair play to Wolves boss Gary O'Neil for his side's run of form. They are on a gentler run of fixtures now, after such a tough start to the season, and with two wins and two draws from their past four games it looks like they have turned the corner.

Even so, it is fair to say I did not see Wolves' big win at Fulham coming, but Matheus Cunha is on fire at the moment and will take some stopping here.

I don't think Bournemouth will keep Wolves out but they always create plenty of opportunities themselves. They were unlucky to lose to Brighton last time out, and it was a similar story against Brentford as well.

I am expecting goals in this game too, but this time the Cherries will get a battling point.

Edwards' prediction: 3-1

I always thought Wolves were better than the league table suggested.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns. There are "one or two players with small things" but he is hopeful they will be available on Saturday.

• Ryan Christie is back in contention after serving his one-match suspension, but Antoine Semenyo is unavailable after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Brighton.

• Semenyo is "a player you don't want to lose" but the club is using the forward's suspension as "a small break" and a chance for him to "deload" after featuring in all 12 Premier League games so far this season.

• On the past two "difficult games", which resulted in two defeats for the Cherries: "We weren't as efficient as we were in other games. If we are not close to 100%, we don't win games. We have to improve in the moments when the points are shared."

• He is anticipating another "difficult game" against Wolves, who have won their past two league games: "They are surely in their best moment of the season. They come to us without any losses in their past four. We have to be ready for a very good team. We have to be at their level."

• There is "no surprise" that Wolves have turned their form around: "In their first run of fixtures, it was very difficult because they played against all of the top teams. A similar thing happened to us last season. Now they have had more games against teams around their level, they have been very good."

• He praised Gary O'Neil for doing "a hell of a job" during his time at Bournemouth, highlighting "how difficult it is to survive" in the Premier League after promotion and the fact that the Cherries did it under his management.

• Matheus Cunha is the "difference-maker" for the opponents: "Every team has players who don't need a lot to score, make big plays or give an assist. Cunha is that player. I know him very well because I also played against him in La Liga when he was at Atletico Madrid. He is a top player."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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No team has scored more goals from substitutes in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth.

With all five such goals being scored by different players, the Cherries also boast the most different sub scorers in the division this term.

Bournemouth's 21-year-old Hungary defender Milos Kerkez is drawing attention from Liverpool and Manchester United. (Sky Germany via Florian Plettenberg), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

David Brooks is a player who knows all about patience.

It is strange to think that it is now fully six years since the Warrington-born Wales midfielder lit up Vitality Stadium after joining from Sheffield United, earning himself a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2018-19, the first Cherries player to be so honoured.

Nominated alongside household names Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, Brooks also won the Football Association of Wales' player of the year and young player of the year gongs that season, and it seemed that his career would continue its upward trajectory.

The first setback came in the summer of 2019 in a pre-season friendly at Brentford, when an innocuous-looking challenge, as a Bees defender tried to block a Brooks cross from which Dominic Solanke scored, kept Brooks out for nearly a year.

Relegation to the Championship and multiple changes of manager followed, but Brooks' toughest test came in October 2021 when he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24. Even after receiving the all-clear the following May, niggling injuries during his rehabilitation meant Brooks did not step onto a Premier League field until March 2023.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth's sixth manager in three years, showed faith in Brooks by handing him the captaincy for some cup games, but with plenty of options in the wide positions, and Wales' team management openly touting their players for transfers in the hope of earning them more minutes before Euro 2024, Brooks was allowed to join Southampton on loan for the second half of last season - though as the player reaffirmed to BBC Radio Solent on Saturday, there was never any chance of a permanent switch.

As it turned out, Wales missed the Euros anyway after losing a play-off, while Brooks dislocated his shoulder in the Championship play-off final and missed the start of the new campaign. But his patience was rewarded with a goalscoring substitute appearance in Saturday's defeat by Brighton.

And with Antoine Semenyo missing Saturday's game at Wolves with suspension, it could be finally time for Brooks' patience to properly pay off.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Despite a mightily impressive start to the campaign, the weekend's loss means that Bournemouth now have back-to-back defeats to their name, so what has changed?

In general - not an awful lot, as the side are still creating a hatful of chances and playing attractive football, but maybe some big injuries and suspensions have caught up with the Cherries.

It feels as if it is the first time in the season Andoni Iraola has really had to call upon some of the more fringe players, and it is now many of the players' chance to grab said opportunity.

The main positive from Bournemouth's home defeat by Brighton, however, was the impact of David Brooks.

Limited to very few minutes so far, Brooks came on and took his moment with a delightful finish in the latter stages. Such impact from the bench will have put a smile on Iraola's face, particularly with key man Antoine Semenyo ruled out of the next fixture after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

Ryan Christie returning will be a huge boost for the side after his suspension was served, but the loss of Semenyo, twinned with Marcos Senesi and Justin Kluivert walking the booking tight rope, certainly means those fringe players will have opportunities to try and impress very soon.

Tyler Adams has been a welcome return to the group, and the club hope Luis Sinisterra is not far away either.

With a busy fixture list ahead, and the inevitable bumps and bruises along the way, it is now the moment for many to give Iraola selection headaches moving forward.

Brooks delivered, now for some more to do the same.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

Newcastle are interested in Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo but are unlikely to make a January move unless other players leave. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brighton, which the Seagulls won 2-1.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Alec: When is our manager going to realise that Mark Travers is our best keeper and that David Brooks should start? To send Dango Ouattara on before Brooks was wrong. Also let's get some basics confirmed - like stop running offside. After all, it's just like crossing the road, look both ways before moving.

Nick: Draw would have been a fairer result. Brooks should have come on earlier. In the first half we didn't go route one into number nine enough because he was open more often than not.

Spirit of 57: Disappointed. Gutted. Bewildered. We put Arsenal and Manchester City to the sword and can't dispatch a below par Brighton. It surely is a funny old game.

Douglas: A very good game of football. I thought very little in it but we weren't able to convert the chances.

Brighton fans

Bob: This proves we are a different animal this season. Being up there in fifth is the just deserts we have earned. If we had kept the lead against Forest we would be second.

Tim: A big win for the Seagulls against a team we have struggled against in the Premier League. Down to 10 men and showing some determination to get over the line was what we needed to do. We are starting to mix it with the establishment.

Stonegold: Two superbly crafted goals worthy of winning any match. If that was a yellow card for Baleba's second then you may as well make football a non-contact sport. Daft first yellow on the player's part doesn't excuse a ref to make that decision. Onwards and definitely upwards.

Vic: Brighton are grinding out wins where they would have previously drawn or lost. Now they are beginning to get their injured players back it looks like a very promising first season for the new manager.

Manchester City are interested in Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi and the Cherries could sell the 22-year-old Ukraine international in the summer to raise funds. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

• Manchester City 0-4 Tottenham

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

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After a slow start to life at Bournemouth, Evanilson had finally found his feet before the international break.

Against Brighton, the Cherries' record signing had plenty of chances to become just the second player since Callum Wilson in 2019 to score in four straight league games for Bournemouth.

However, he lacked the clinical edge and strayed offside as Bournemouth left it too late against a reduced Brighton side.

When Igor Julio lost the ball in the middle of the park, it looked like Bournemouth were certain to cancel out the opener with Evanilson and his team-mates outnumbering the visitors' defence.

But the Brazilian, with form on his side, chose to go alone and tried to squeeze the ball in at the near post rather than square the ball to Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, who were arriving in the box unmarked.

He had better luck with his next effort, lifting the ball into the net - only for it to be ruled out for offside.

After going down to 10 men, all Evanilson had to do was turn his bullet header to either side of Bart Verbruggen to give Bournemouth a fighting chance.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was difficult because we scored in the few remaining minutes. The first half was good from us, we had more chances but they have been more clinical and in the end this is what counts.

"I think we played quite a level game but especially first half I think we were better than Brighton.

"They scored, it was small margins [with the offsides], we hit the crossbar at the end, it has been this kind of game.

"We had enough time [to equalise], we continued pushing, probably with the substitutions it cost us some time and we tried until the end but we couldn't get the goal."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance, external

What did you make of Brighton's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Leicester v Chelsea - 12:30

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

• Everton v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Man City v Tottenham - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 12 he takes on The Farm singer and Liverpool fan Peter Hooton.

The Farm's new single, Forever & Ever, is out now and their new album, Let The Music (Take Control), is released in May 2025.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

These two teams are the 'City slayers' who handed Manchester City back-to-back defeats before the international break.

This is going to be a really good game, and it is very hard to call.

Both sides like to entertain and attack, just with slightly different ways in how they go about it.

There will be goals, but I can't split them so I am going for a draw.

Hooton’s prediction: 2-2

Brighton really impressed me at Anfield with their one-touch football, but everyone knows Bournemouth are decent at home. I can see both teams scoring a couple of goals and I think both teams would be quite happy with a draw.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler believes Bournemouth are among the top sides in the Premier League, as Albion gear up to for their trip to face the Cherries on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, Hurzeler said: "It is a really big challenge because, for me, Bournemouth are one of the biggest teams at the moment. They have quality, a good shape and, at the moment, are one of the best teams in the league.

"It is an even harder challenge [after we beat Manchester City]. We have to fight for the small things and the personal duels, and then we will get what we deserve.

"They have the ability to suffer and also the ability to hit teams on the counter. They have Evanilson, they have Semenyo, they have Kluivert so there is individual quality. They have great players at the back and in midfield. [They are a] very strong team and a very compact team so there was no surprise they beat these two big clubs [Arsenal and Manchester City]."

Some 96 miles separate Brighton and Bournemouth on the south coast, with some suggesting Saturday's match could be considered a local derby.

"I love derbies," said Hurzeler. "I didn't really know it was a derby, so that's new to me. I am looking forward to it if it is a derby.

"I am looking forward to it if it is not too!"

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you who scored Bournemouth's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Antoine Semenyo, who netted in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on 17 August.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola provided a squad fitness update: "Everyone who went with their national teams has come back available and healthy. Some have played more minutes and will be more tired, but there's been no new injuries."

• When asked about Antoine Semenyo, who didn't go on international duty with Ghana: "He is similar to Milos [Kerkez] - they are young and playing a lot of minutes. I think it's kind of a tendonitis [issue]. It's the only time he had to receive treatment to try to solve a more chronic issue. I think they can continue playing with this, I hope it becomes better and better. I hope they can both play tomorrow."

• On Saturday's opponents: "I've liked a lot of what I've seen from Brighton. I think they have kept a lot of good things they had from [Roberto] De Zerbi but I think they are now even more dynamic. They are playing really well and it won't be easy."

• Iraola was asked how the Seagulls compare with Arsenal and Manchester City, their previous opponents at Vitality Stadium: "They have a lot of things in common with these big teams. We have to be ready to play very well without the ball and win very difficult individual duels. Our performance has to be very good."

• On Ryan Christie, who is suspended for the weekend's match: "We lose a very important player, but it was a matter of time and we will have to adapt. His replacement, Alex Scott, is also injured so we will need others to step up."

Follow all of Saturday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Who scored Bournemouth's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League teams, even those not in Europe and out of the Carabao Cup, face eight games between now and the end of 2024, at a time of year when suspensions start kicking in (the 'cut off' for five cautions does not come until teams have played 19 games, which means the end of December), and injuries naturally take their toll while television dictates that teams sometimes play at unusual times.

Though both are ever-present in the Premier League this season, neither Milos Kerkez (Hungary) nor Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) joined up with their countries during this international break because of injury concerns.

The Ghana FA stated that Semenyo was “nursing an injury of the patella tendon due to overload of games”, and that the Cherries medical team “thought it wise to use the break to refer him to a tendon specialist to prevent worsening of the injury”.

Julian Araujo, who has shared the right-back role with stalwart Adam Smith this season (“platooning” the position, to use a US sports phrase), has gone under the knife to have hamstring surgery. While no timescale has been given on his recovery, such operations usually mean an absence of months rather than weeks.

All of the above means Andoni Iraola’s squad may be a little stretched between now and the end of 2024. As I wrote here last week, Ryan Christie misses the Brighton game with a one-match suspension while Marcos Senesi, Justin Kluivert and Semenyo are all on four yellow cards.

All of the squad are likely to be needed at some point, which may give opportunities to the likes of Max Aarons, who has not made it off the substitutes’ bench this season but is now the only natural full-back cover for Smith and Kerkez.