The Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth is set to host a captivating Premier League clash on Saturday, September 13, 2025, as AFC Bournemouth welcome Brighton & Hove Albion. This early-season encounter promises more than just three points; it’s a battle for bragging rights and crucial momentum in the nascent 2025/2026 campaign. Both sides have shown flashes of brilliance and vulnerability in the opening weeks, setting the stage for an unpredictable and engaging affair. Can the Cherries leverage their home advantage, or will the Seagulls soar high with an away victory? What tactical chess moves will define this intriguing South Coast derby?
Head-to-Head History: A Balanced Rivalry
The historical matchups between Bournemouth and Brighton have been remarkably evenly contested, with neither side establishing clear dominance. In a total of 28 matches played, both teams boast 11 wins each, with the remaining 6 encounters ending in a draw.
- Total Matches Played: 28
- Bournemouth Wins: 11
- Brighton Wins: 11
- Draws: 6
Looking at their most recent encounters, the pendulum has swung slightly in Brighton’s favour:
- 25 February 2025: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 1 AFC Bournemouth
- 23 November 2024: AFC Bournemouth 1 – 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 28 April 2024: AFC Bournemouth 3 – 0 Brighton & Hove Albion
- 24 September 2023: Brighton & Hove Albion 3 – 1 AFC Bournemouth
- 04 April 2023: AFC Bournemouth 2 – 0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have secured victories in their last two clashes against Bournemouth, indicating a recent edge. Historically, matches between these two clubs have averaged 2.71 goals, suggesting a tendency for open and attacking football.
Current Form & Team News
As of early September 2025, both teams are finding their rhythm in the new Premier League season. While specific injury lists for this exact match date are speculative, we can assess their recent performances and likely squad availability based on current trends.
AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth enters this fixture with a “Very Good” overall form, having secured 2 wins and 1 loss in their initial Premier League outings, placing them 7th in the league table. Their home form has been excellent, with 1 win from their solitary home game so far.
Recent form (last 5 competitive matches, including early 2025/26 season results):
- 30 August 2025: Tottenham Hotspur 0 – 1 Bournemouth (W)
- 26 August 2025: Bournemouth 0 – 2 Brentford (L) (EFL Cup)
- 23 August 2025: Bournemouth 1 – 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (W)
- 15 August 2025: Liverpool 4 – 2 Bournemouth (L)
- 09 August 2025: Bournemouth 0 – 0 Real Sociedad (D) (Club Friendly)
In their last 10 league games, Bournemouth recorded 5 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. Standout performers for the Cherries include Antoine Semenyo, who has been a significant attacking threat with 6 goals and 2 assists in recent league games, alongside Evanilson (2 goals) and Marcus Tavernier (1 goal). Goalkeepers Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga have collectively achieved 5 clean sheets. Midfield anchor Tyler Adams and defenders Marcos Senesi and Adrien Truffert are also key figures in their likely lineup.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton’s start to the season has been “Average”, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the Premier League, positioning them 10th. Their home form has been average, while their away form is considered poor based on early results.
Recent form (last 5 competitive matches, including early 2025/26 season results):
- 31 August 2025: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 1 Manchester City (W)
- 27 August 2025: Oxford United 0 – 6 Brighton & Hove Albion (W) (EFL Cup)
- 24 August 2025: Everton 2 – 0 Brighton & Hove Albion (L)
- 16 August 2025: Brighton & Hove Albion 1 – 1 Fulham (D)
- 09 August 2025: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 1 VfL Wolfsburg (W) (Club Friendly)
Over their last 10 league games, Brighton have secured 5 victories, 2 defeats, and 3 draws. Key attacking players for Brighton include Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma, both with 3 goals, and Brajan Gruda, who has contributed 2 goals and 3 assists. Bart Verbruggen is expected to be in goal.
Tactical Preview
This match-up presents an interesting tactical duel between two teams that generally favour progressive football.
Bournemouth’s Approach (Likely 4-1-4-1)
Bournemouth, under their current tactical setup, are likely to deploy a 4-1-4-1 formation. This structure allows for a strong defensive midfield presence, often with Tyler Adams shielding the back four, and flexible wide players who can support attacks. They average around 50.7% possession and 400.8 passes per match, indicating a desire to control the ball while also being efficient in transition. Their attacking threats, Semenyo and Evanilson, will look to exploit spaces behind Brighton’s defense. The Cherries’ defensive solidity has seen them concede an average of 1.0 goals per match recently.
Brighton’s Approach (Likely 4-2-3-1)
Brighton is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which aligns with their philosophy of short passes and creating chances through individual skill. They average slightly more possession (51.6%) and passes (444.0) than Bournemouth. Their attacking prowess is evident with an average of 2.0 goals per match, often attacking down the right flank. However, they have shown weaknesses in “finishing scoring chances,” “aerial duels,” and “defending against through ball attacks,” which Bournemouth will likely try to exploit. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari tasked with disrupting Bournemouth’s play and initiating their own attacks.
The Vitality Stadium pitch conditions are typically excellent, and a September afternoon in England should present no significant weather-related challenges. Travel fatigue will be minimal for both domestic sides.
Prediction
This promises to be a tightly contested match between two well-matched Premier League teams. Bournemouth’s strong home form and recent defensive resilience will be a factor, while Brighton’s attacking flair and historical edge in recent head-to-head encounters cannot be ignored. The Cherries’ victory over Tottenham and Brighton’s impressive win against Manchester City in late August highlight their capabilities.
Given Bournemouth’s home advantage and their solid defensive record combined with Brighton’s occasional defensive vulnerabilities against through balls and aerial duels, the Cherries might just edge this one.
Expected Scoreline: AFC Bournemouth 2 – 1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Justification: Bournemouth’s recent league form has been stronger at home, and their ability to get results against top teams recently (like Tottenham) indicates a growing confidence. Brighton’s attacking talent is undeniable, but their away form has been identified as poor, and their defensive weaknesses could be exploited by Bournemouth’s quick forwards like Semenyo and Evanilson. Betting odds currently place Bournemouth at 2.40 for a win, with a draw at 3.50 and a Brighton win at 2.80, suggesting a slight favour towards the home side.
Goal Scorers/Events: Expect Antoine Semenyo to find the net for Bournemouth. For Brighton, Kaoru Mitoma or Brajan Gruda could be among the goal scorers. Given Brighton’s attacking style and Bournemouth’s defensive focus, a penalty or late drama would not be entirely surprising.