Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion Betting: Howe's men could make a fast start

Although there is very little to choose between these two sides, you would be forgiven for thinking it was Brighton who had started the season with four league defeats in four games.

As it is, Bournemouth currently sit 19th in the Premier League with zero points and just one goal to their name, whilst the visitors claimed their first win of the campaign with a 3-1 success over West Brom last weekend and are 14th.

These two sides have never met in the top flight before, making it the 1420th different top-flight fixture, but the Cherries are currently on a six-match unbeaten run over the Seagulls dating back to 2008 and can make it eight if they win this fixture followed by the Carabao Cup rematch next Tuesday.

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Ahead of this Friday night fixture, dabblebet have installed Eddie Howe’s men as favourites at 23/20 (2.15) to make it three wins in a row over Brighton.

The visitors can be backed at 13/5 (3.60) to win their second game of the season, whilst the draw at the Vitality Stadium is 12/5 (3.40).

Although both teams have netted a meagre four times between them this season, they have shipped a whopping 13 goals and an evening under the floodlights might be just what the sides need to find their shooting boots.

Bournemouth’s star striker Jermain Defoe has yet to score this season but it is surely only a matter of time for the man who registered 15 times in the league last term, and he is 4/1 (5.0) to bag first on Friday night.

Chris Hughton’s side have Pascal Gross to thank for both their first ever Premier League goal, and victory, as he struck twice and assisted another against the Baggies on the weekend, and you can back him at a huge 9/1 (10.0) to open the scoring again.

However, true value lies in the first period as the Cherries have led at half-time in three of their last four games against Brighton, and they are a good price at 9/5 (2.80) to do so again. The Cherries showed plenty of fight in the first 45 minutes against Manchester City in their previous home game and while the hosts might ultimately fall short of their first league win this term, backing a fast start could provide a tasty winner to kick off the Premier League action.