Premier League points are key for Bournemouth, who are yet to win in the English top-flight this term, but they made a fine start to their Europa League campaign with a win at Real Sociedad and they can make it two from two when Sturm Graz visit the Vitality Stadium on Thursday.
The Cherries won 2-1 in Spain last month and should enjoy a comfortable evening against the Austrians, who could only draw 0-0 in their Europa League opener at home to Rennes.
No Austrian side has beaten an English representative in a major European competition since 1991 and that run looks set to go on this week, with Bournemouth fancied to secure a second win in this competition.
Bournemouth v Sturm Graz Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bournemouth to win to nil @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Bournemouth to win 3-0 @ 7/1
Bet Builder - Over 2 total goals, Under 1 Sturm Graz goal, Evanilson to score or assist & Rayan to score or assist, @ 41/10
Bournemouth v Sturm Graz Prediction
Best Bet: Bournemouth to win to nil @ 11/10
Bournemouth have kept just one clean sheet this season, a 4-0 home success against Championship side Lincoln in the EFL Cup, but they can hold out against a Sturm Graz side who have failed to score in their last three European away games.
The Cherries were hammered 5-1 by Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday but this looks a huge step down in class for Marco Rose's side, who are fancied to win while keeping a clean sheet.
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.
Alternative Bet: Bournemouth to win 3-0 @ 7/1
A comfortable home win looks likely and Bournemouth can be expected to shoulder all of the goalscoring burden at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday.
Sturm Graz lost 3-0 at RB Salzburg last month, while they clung on for a 0-0 home draw with Rennes after losing 2-0 at Fenerbahce earlier this season.
Bournemouth look the strongest side they have faced this term and a 3-0 home win looks well within reach.
Only Liverpool have shut out the Cherries this season, and the south-coast side scored six goals across their two home matches prior to that loss against the Reds.
Sturm have won just one of their last nine meetings with English opponents and it is hard to see them improving that record this week given their frailties away from home.
Bournemouth are expected to name a strong side for this clash and their quality in attack can help them to a 3-0 win at a juicy price.
Bournemouth v Sturm Graz Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 total goals
Under 1 Sturm Graz goal
Evanilson to score or assist
Rayan to score or assist
Pays 41/10
At least three goals can be struck at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday but Bournemouth are the side fancied to do all the scoring.
A four-leg bet builder should also feature a blank for the visitors, who may find Bournemouth's high-quality attack too clinical.
Evanilson grabbed the Cherries’ consolation goal in their 5-1 hammering at Chelsea on Saturday and he is fancied to play his part once again with another strike or an assist.
His sidekick in attack Rayan is also likely to be too good for the visitors and he could also play a significant role on the south coast.
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Key Match Stats
Bournemouth won their opening Europa League fixture 2-1 at Real Sociedad last month
Sturm Graz have lost two of their five European matches this season
Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 13 home outings in all competitions
Sturm Graz have lost 10 of their last 11 away fixtures in major European competitions
No Austrian side has beaten an English club in major European competitions since 1991
The Cherries’ only clean sheet in eight games this season came against Championship side Lincoln in the EFL Cup
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
