Preview: Diego Gomez set for full Brighton debut – Brighton vs Bournemouth

Diego Gomez is set to make his full debut against Bournemouth as Brighton aim to win back-to-back home games for the first time since September 2023.

Brighton boss, Fabian Hurzeler said Gomez has been “pushing for a start” with impressive cameos against Chelsea and Southampton. The German said: “Every time when he has come into the game he has made an impact”.

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Gomez starts alongside Carlos Baleba who Hurzeler labelled as an “unbelievable player”. The Cameroon international was sent off in the reverse fixture for a challenge on Milos Kerkez.

Hurzeler insisted that Baleba has learnt his lesson since the sending off at the Vitality Stadium. He said: I have seen a development… he behaves much more maturely and understands how to play when he has a yellow.

The Albion are on a good run of form since their 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and are coming in off the back of a 4-0 victory against Southampton.

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Hurzeler admitted “it will be a challenge for us [Brighton] to compete” against Andoni Iraola’s high-flying Bournemouth side but their form in previous meetings is on the Seagulls’ side.

The hosts have won all of their last three home matches against the Cherries and won the reverse fixture 2-1.

However, Bournemouth’s away form this season has been one of the best in the league and they are currently on a seven-match unbeaten run away from home.

Justin Kluivert has inspired their success with nine goals away from home this season. If he nets this evening, he will be the first Bournemouth player ever to score 10 away goals in a single top-flight campaign.

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Brighton are without captain Lewis Dunk who continues to suffer from a rib injury, whilst Joel Veltman also misses out.

Pervis Estupinan returns to the starting line up following his return as a substitute against Southampton.

For Bournemouth, they are without Illia Zabarnyi who is seeing out a three-match ban for his red card against Wolves.

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Written by Isabelle Newnham