AFC Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz Predictions

• Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 13 home games across all comps
• Sturm Graz have two defeats in five European games this season inc qualifiers
• The Cherries are yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League or Europe

Sturm Graz unlikely to challenge Cherries

Bournemouth slipped to a heavy defeat at Chelsea over the weekend but they should have little trouble responding with a win when they host Austria’s Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Cherries won 2-1 at Real Sociedad in their first ever European fixture last month. They were perhaps fortunate to claim all three points but that was still an impressive result and performance regardless, while Sturm Graz were incredibly lucky to hold France’s Rennes to a 0-0 draw in their own Europa League opener.

Bournemouth have an excellent home record as a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in their last outing at the Vitality Stadium ended a 12-game unbeaten run at this venue. There is also a clear gulf in class between these two sides, and the hosts should win fairly comfortably.

However, Marco Rose’s side are huge favourites to win and the handicap markets offer little appeal so the best angle looks to be focusing on goals and over 3.5 stands out.

There have been at least four goals scored in four of Bournemouth’s last six games and they have scored at least twice themselves in four of those fixtures, while only Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have managed to limit them to fewer than two strikes this season.

The Cherries have also conceded in seven of their eight games this season and their only clean sheet has come in a cup game against Lincoln, so Sturm Graz may be able to add to the overall total.

Sturm Graz have shipped three goals on two occasions this season and Bournemouth may be able to score fairly heavily as they host a European fixture for the first time so a 4-1 home win has a chance in the correct score market.

Rayan hasn’t scored in the Premier League this season but he did hit what proved to be the winner at the Anoeta. The Brazilian forward can make an impact in Europa again this week with an anytime strike.