Struggling Bournemouth host a Sturm side without its forwards
AFC Bournemouth welcome Sturm Graz to the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the second round of the Europa League league phase. Bournemouth won their first-ever European game 2-1 at Real Sociedad but are 18th in the Premier League and were beaten 5-1 at Chelsea on Saturday. Sturm drew 0-0 with Rennes on matchday one and arrive with an injury crisis in attack. Kick-off is at 21:00. The referee had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
“I’m very disappointed and it’s a big loss.” – Bournemouth manager Marco Rose on Alex Scott’s thigh injury
Predicted lineups: Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz
Bournemouth are without central midfielder Alex Scott for four to five weeks after he injured his thigh on England duty, and Eli Junior Kroupi (foot), Justin Kluivert (muscle) and Julian Araujo (thigh) are also out. Sturm’s list is far longer. Nelson Weiper and Seedy Jatta, two of their three top league scorers, are injured, as are Otar Kiteishvili, Leon Grgić, Gizo Mamageishvili and Filip Rozga, while defenders Albert Vallci and Emran Soglo are also missing. That leaves Oumar Diakité, who scored both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Austria Wien, as the main threat. Jürgen Heil returns from a domestic suspension.
AFC Bournemouth Team News & Preview
Bournemouth have three points from six Premier League games, no league win yet and 13 goals conceded, the joint-most in the division. Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at Chelsea was the low point: they were 2-0 down at half-time and conceded again within a minute of the restart, even though Chelsea had only ten shots all game.
Europe has been a different story so far. Bournemouth won 2-1 at Real Sociedad on matchday one, and they have the attacking players to hurt a weakened opponent, with Marcus Tavernier their top league scorer on three goals. The problem is at the other end, where they have kept only one clean sheet in their last ten competitive games.
What works for or against Bournemouth
- Won 2-1 at Real Sociedad in their first-ever European game.
- Face a Sturm side without most of its forwards.
- Winless in six league games and lost 5-1 at Chelsea.
- Only one clean sheet in their last ten competitive games.
Sturm Graz Team News & Preview
Sturm are fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga with 14 points from eight games, but goals have been hard to come by: ten in eight league matches. Before Saturday’s 2-0 win at Austria Wien they drew 0-0 with Rennes in this competition and lost 3-0 at Salzburg. Diakité, on loan from Reims, has three league goals and was described by manager Fabio Ingolitsch as “das Puzzleteil, das uns gefehlt hat.”
The absences make it very hard to see where Sturm’s goals will come from at the Vitality. Kiteishvili is their creative leader, and Weiper and Jatta have four league goals between them. Sturm have won only one of their nine previous games against English clubs.
What works for or against Sturm Graz
- Won 2-0 at Austria Wien on Saturday.
- Kept a clean sheet against Rennes on matchday one.
- Weiper, Jatta, Kiteishvili and three more attackers injured.
- Only ten goals in eight league games.
Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz Odds
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Bournemouth vs. Sturm Graz Stats Comparison
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Bournemouth vs. Sturm Graz Form Guide
Bournemouth Form, Stats & Data
Bournemouth concede more than two goals per league game and have not won in the Premier League yet. Rose’s side still have pace and quality in wide areas through Tavernier, Brooks and Rayan, and against a weakened opponent at home this is a chance to rebuild confidence.
Sturm Graz Form, Stats & Data
Sturm score 1.25 goals per league game even with a full squad. With most of their forwards injured, they will rely on Diakité and on set pieces, and I expect them to sit deep and try to keep the game tight.
Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz: Prediction & Betting Tip
The key fact in this game is Sturm’s injury list. They were already short of goals with a full squad, and now they are without Weiper, Jatta, Kiteishvili and three more attacking players. I expect Bournemouth to have most of the ball and Sturm to defend in a low block, which makes a Sturm goal unlikely and gives me a clear angle in the Both Teams to Score market.
The one thing that gives me pause is Bournemouth’s defence. They have kept one clean sheet in ten games and conceded five at Chelsea on Saturday, so even a weakened Sturm side may get a chance from a set piece or a mistake. That is why I am keeping the stake moderate, but I still think Bournemouth keep a clean sheet here.
I will be backing Both Teams to Score – No at 1.88 with Winz. If I had to name a score, it would be 2-0.