Darkness has descended over the Vitality Stadium and the players have disappeared back down the tunnel to prepare for kick-off.

A touch under 10 minutes to go until the first Premier League game of the weekend gets under way.

Antony in Banchory: When a manager is sacked mid-season, any players they signed in the previous six months should also be available for sale at the same price the sacking club paid for them, despite any contract. That would concentrate clubs' minds to see the risks and not just take an easy route out.

Former Brighton and Bournemouth midfielder Warren Aspinall on BBC Sussex: "The longer the game stays 0-0, Bournemouth could be in trouble. Brighton have to press high up the pitch like last weekend. The first goal is important."

Brighton are looking to become the first newly promoted side to win on a Friday in the Premier League since Portsmouth in December 2003 (2-0 v Manchester City).

Since then, newly promoted sides have drawn two and lost eight of 10 Friday matches.

Jed Michael: I reckon Bournemouth need to utilise Lewis Cook more than they are. He is a class act compared to Andrew Surmam, who starts.

Mark_Lynch: Big congratulations to Connor Goldson for making the bench after his heart problems last year - from all Shrews fans

Brighton defender Goldson had heart surgery in February

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Gross has settled right into life in the Premier League.

The Brighton playmaker, bought from Ingolstadt in the summer for £3m - pocket change these days - has had a hand in all three of Brighton's goals in the Premier League this season, scoring two and setting up the other.

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight would be a good time for Jermain Defoe to rediscover his scoring touch.

The striker has managed just one goal in his last 17 Premier League appearances, in Sunderland's 2-0 victory at Hull City on 6 May.

This will be the 39th different club Defoe has faced in the Premier League. He has scored against 35 of the 38 previous sides he has faced.

Benjamin Bingham: Agree with Hughton. Players stay in, why not manager. Undue pressure on manager if team down tools *ahem* Chelsea

Ian Wray: Just like any job in the real world! You have a probation period. If you're not doing a good enough job you're out!

Thirty minutes to go until kick off and Albion fans are queuing up to get to their seats.

At least the rain has stopped. Quite pleasant now, actually.

Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall on BBC Sussex: "Brighton have to come here in confidence. Eddie Howe is not happy with the players and losing becomes a habit."

Image source, .

Made your predictions for this weekend's games? If not, head here to do just that.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

I am backing Bournemouth to win this battle of the south coast, and I think they will soon recover from their poor start.

Prediction: 2-0

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, BBC Radio 5 live

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "There is always a better feel on the back of a good performance and win, fortunately we had both against West Brom.

"Our level of performance in the opening games have not been so bad but points are most valuable in this division. We are learning about the qualities of the Premier League and know we have to play at at certain level to get something out of games.

"Bournemouth will be dangerous and a very good side. They have a know-how about the division and want to go out and win every game."

Image source, Getty Images

After a shaky start, Brighton got their season properly up and running last weekend with an impressive 3-1 win against West Brom.

They are now on four points and if they win tonight the Premier League newboys will move into the top 10.

How does Eddie Howe plan on turning around Bournemouth's form?

“We do it by going back to basics and getting the fundamentals of our game functioning," he said.

“Historically we’ve always been very good on the ball and we haven’t quite seen that yet. We need to get that back into our game very quickly."

Steven McNamaraBoyle: Totally agree with Chris Hughton. It's ridiculous now how quick managers are sacked. Should get a minimum of a year guaranteed

David Melton: window for sacking a manager - NO - same as any job. Window for poaching another club's manager - YES.

Owen Hargreaves
Former Bayern Munich midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Think about the football Bournemouth play, adding Jermain Defoe to that and they only have one goal in four games, that is a surprise.

They play lovely football, but they need a Plan B. Teams have had a chance to work them out. They were terrific against Manchester City and unlucky not to get anything out of it.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Eddie Howe won't be happy with what he is seeing and the pressure will be mounting to get the first win. They were unfortunate against Man City but I have seen Bournemouth in this situation before, but Howe eventually gets the formula and balance right. Right now he is struggling.

It is surprising to see Bournemouth in this situation. He will continue to play the same way no matter how much pressure he is put under.

But the lack of chances and goals will be of worry to him. He watches them in training every day and the tide will turn.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is staying calm despite a winless start to the Premier League season.

Watch what he had to say before tonight's game in the video below.