Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz predictions: Cherries a great pick with 13/2 bet builder
Alex Hilton
Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 13 home matches in all competitions
Sturm Graz have lost 10 of their last 11 away fixtures in major European competitions
The Austrians have won just one of their last nine meetings with English opponents
Bournemouth are preparing for their first home tie in European competition and, after winning away to Real Sociedad on matchday one, they will fancy their chances of following up when Sturm Graz visit the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries were hammered 5-1 by Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday and have yet to pick up three points in the English top flight this term, but this looks an ideal opportunity to get back on track and boost confidence.
Sturm Graz were held to a 0-0 home draw by Rennes in their Europa League opener and they have a miserable record on the road in Europe.
No Austrian side has beaten an English outfit in a European tie since 1991 and it is hard to see Sturm ending that poor run on the south coast this Thursday.
The latest Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Bournemouth beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in their Europa League opener
Sturm Graz have failed to score in their last three European outings
No Austrian side has beaten an English club in a major European competition since 1991
Sturm Graz have lost 10 of their last 11 away fixtures in Europe
The Cherries’ only clean sheet in eight games this season came against Championship side Lincoln in the EFL Cup
Sturm Graz have lost two of their five European matches this season
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Team news
Midfielder Alex Scott is facing several weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while Eli Junior Kroupi (foot), Justin Kluivert (muscle), Julian Araujo (thigh), Veljko Milosavljevic (thigh) and Amine Adli (calf) are also unavailable.
Ben Gannon-Doak is competing with David Brooks for a start on the wing.
Rayan was on target in Bournemouth’s win over Real Sociedad and is expected to continue on the right, while Lewis Cook will be pushing to earn a recall in central midfield.
Sturm Graz will be without Gizo Mamageishvili, Nelson Weiper, Otar Kiteishvili, Filip Rozga, Seedy Jatta and Emran Soglo.
Oumar Diakite scored twice against Austria Vienna at the weekend and could start up front.
Need to know
Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 13 home matches in all competitions.
Sturm Graz have failed to score in their last three European away fixtures and have lost 10 of their last 11 on the road in continental competition.
Prediction
Bournemouth suffered a sobering 5-1 hammering at Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, but this Europa League clash with Sturm Graz looks like the ideal opportunity to bounce back and restore some confidence.
Austrian sides have a dreadful record against English opposition in European competitions and Sturm have lost 10 of their last 11 away outings on trips across the continent.
Bournemouth can extend that sequence on Thursday and build on their own impressive record which has seen them lose just one of their last 13 fixtures on home soil in all competitions.
The Cherries were excellent in their 2-1 win away to Sociedad last month and Sturm Graz, who finished 26th in last season's Europa League standings, are not in the same class as the Spanish side or Chelsea.
The Austrians lost five of their eight matches in the league phase last term and hung on for a 0-0 draw at home to Rennes on matchday one.
Thursday's trip to the south coast may be a case of limiting the damage but a comfortable home win looks likely and Evanilson, scorer of Bournemouth’s consolation against Chelsea, could be among the scorers.
