Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

FreeOddsTips Verdict

Updated 14 Oct 2026

PredictionBoth Teams to Score

Best Odds1.95

Value BetOver 2.5 Goals

Confidence★★★☆☆

Best available price · 18+ · Play responsiblyBet Both Teams to Score @ 1.95

Written by GüvenSports Betting & Product Specialist

Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read

Bournemouth host Sturm Graz on Thursday night in their first-ever UEFA Europa League home fixture, with Marco Rose’s side aiming to build on an impressive opening-day win at Real Sociedad.

The Cherries arrive after a damaging 5-1 Premier League defeat at Chelsea, a result that exposed the defensive fragility which has followed them through the early weeks of the campaign. Bournemouth have conceded in seven of eight competitive matches this season, but they have also scored in six of those games.

Sturm Graz are not a bad side and should not be treated as spectators at Vitality Stadium. Fabio Ingolitsch’s team held Rennes to a goalless draw in their Europa League opener before beating Austria Wien 2-0, with Oumar Diakité scoring twice.

FreeOddsTips’ prediction is Both Teams to Score at 1.95. Bournemouth have enough attacking options to find a way through at home, while their current defensive issues give an organised Sturm side a realistic route to the scoresheet.

Match Preview

Rose has retained Bournemouth’s proactive, pressing-based approach, usually using a 4-2-3-1 but occasionally switching to a more aggressive two-forward setup in Europe. Evanilson, Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and David Brooks give the hosts several routes to goal, although the absence of Alex Scott and likely continued unavailability of Justin Kluivert reduce the manager’s creative options.

Sturm may defend deep for long spells, as they did effectively against Rennes, but they possess a genuine focal point in Diakité. The striker has scored three goals in his first two recent Bundesliga appearances and will be supported by Simon Seidl, who has supplied five league assists this season. Bournemouth should have more possession, but their high defensive line and habit of conceding chances make a Sturm goal very plausible.

The hosts are still favourites to win the match, but the cleaner betting angle is both teams scoring. Bournemouth’s home games have already produced goals, while Sturm showed in Vienna that they can remain compact and punish the right opening.

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Our Best BetEditor’s Choice

Both Teams to Score

Bournemouth have conceded in seven of eight matches
Sturm's Diakité has three goals in two league games
Bournemouth have scored in six of eight this season

Best Odds1.95Decimal

18+ · Gamble responsibly · BeGambleAware.orgBet Both Teams to Score @ 1.95

Why Both Teams to Score Makes Sense

Bournemouth's attacking approach makes them likely to create chances at home. Evanilson scored at Chelsea, Rayan has already netted in Europe, and Tavernier remains a regular threat from the attacking midfield line. The Cherries have scored 13 goals in eight competitive matches despite their difficult Premier League start.

The defensive side is the concern for Rose. Bournemouth have kept only one clean sheet all season and conceded five at Chelsea last weekend. Their press can create turnovers high up the pitch, but it also leaves room for opponents to attack quickly if the first line is bypassed.

Sturm have major absences, yet they still carry a credible goal threat through Diakité and Seidl. Diakité's pace and physicality can trouble Bournemouth's centre-backs in transition or from direct deliveries, while Seidl has been Sturm's leading assist provider in the league. Both Teams to Score at 1.95 makes more sense than relying solely on a Bournemouth win.

Form & Recent Matches

Newest match first.

Bournemouth

LLWDW

10 Oct 2026AChelsea
Premier League1-5L
20 Sep 2026HLiverpool
Premier League0-1L
17 Sep 2026AReal Sociedad
Europa League2-1W
12 Sep 2026HBrentford
Premier League2-2D
8 Sep 2026HLincoln City
Carabao Cup4-0W

Sturm Graz

WLDWW

10 Oct 2026AAustria Wien
Austrian Bundesliga2-0W
20 Sep 2026ARB Salzburg
Austrian Bundesliga0-3L
16 Sep 2026HRennes
Europa League0-0D
13 Sep 2026HLASK
Austrian Bundesliga2-1W
5 Sep 2026AVoitsberg
Austrian Cup4-1W

Match Statistics

Last 10 Matches

Bournemouth2 W · 3 D · 3 L

1.63Avg goals scored

1.75Avg goals conceded

1/8Clean sheets

2Wins

3Draws

3Losses

Based on 8 completed matches (fewer than 10 available).

Sturm Graz5 W · 2 D · 3 L

1.30Avg goals scored

1.00Avg goals conceded

4/10Clean sheets

5Wins

2Draws

3Losses

GoalsBTTSHalf TimeClean SheetsForm

Statistic	Bournemouth	Sturm Graz
Avg goals scored	1.63	1.30
Avg goals conceded	1.75	1.00
Scored 0 goals	1/8	3/10
Scored 1 goal	3/8	3/10
Scored 2 goals	3/8	3/10
Scored 3+ goals	1/8	1/10
Conceded 0 goals	1/8	4/10
Conceded 1 goal	3/8	4/10
Conceded 2 goals	3/8	0/10
Conceded 3+ goals	1/8	2/10

Statistic	Bournemouth	Sturm Graz
BTTS — Yes	6/8	4/10
BTTS — No	2/8	6/10

Half-time data unavailable.

Statistic	Bournemouth	Sturm Graz
Clean sheets	1/8	4/10
Failed to keep a clean sheet	7/8	6/10

Bournemouth

LLWDWDDL

2 Wins · 3 Draws · 3 Losses

Sturm Graz

WLDWWLDWLW

5 Wins · 2 Draws · 3 Losses

Newest match first.

Form Analysis

Recent Form

How both teams have been performing.

Bournemouth

Home team

Form Outlook

Bournemouth have had a mixed start under Marco Rose, with two wins, three draws and three defeats in eight competitive matches. Their win at Real Sociedad was an excellent European statement, but the 5-1 loss at Chelsea underlined how exposed they can become when their press is played through.

Goals have rarely been a problem. Bournemouth have scored 13 times in eight matches and have failed to score only once, but they have also conceded 14. Their four home matches have brought seven goals scored and four conceded, which points towards an open first European night at Vitality Stadium.

Sturm Graz

Away team

Form Outlook

Sturm's recent results have been uneven, but their 2-0 win at Austria Wien was a timely response to the 3-0 defeat at Salzburg. They defended with discipline against Rennes in their Europa League opener and have three clean sheets across their last 10 competitive fixtures.

The concern is personnel. Injuries have removed much of Ingolitsch's creative and attacking depth, but Diakité's immediate impact has given the visitors a more direct threat. Their away record includes four wins this season, so Bournemouth should expect a competitive opponent rather than a side content merely to protect a narrow scoreline.

Team News

Squad Update

Latest squad information before kick-off.

Bournemouth

Home team

Squad Status

Alex Scott is ruled out with a thigh injury and is expected to miss up to eight weeks. Eli Junior Kroupi remains sidelined following foot surgery, while Justin Kluivert is still a fitness concern after suffering a muscle injury against Real Sociedad.

Julián Araujo, Veljko Milosavljević and Amine Adli have also yet to play competitively under Rose because of injury. David Brooks was fit enough to start at Chelsea, while there are no reported Bournemouth suspensions for this fixture.

Sturm Graz

Away team

Squad Status

Sturm travel without Otar Kiteishvili, Filip Rózga, Gizo Mamageishvili, Seedy Jatta, Emran Soglo, Leon Grgić and Nelson Weiper. Those absences leave Ingolitsch short of attacking and creative options.

Albert Vallci is a fitness doubt, while Jürgen Heil is available again after serving a domestic suspension. Heil's return gives Sturm an extra option on the right side, but Vallci's availability could determine whether the visitors use a back three or retain a more familiar four-man defence.

Tactical Analysis

Tactical Outlook

BournemouthHome

Tactical matchup

Sturm GrazAway

Tactical Outlook

Bournemouth are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie providing the running and counter-pressing behind a mobile attacking unit. Rose wants his side to play on the front foot, and the full-backs can push high when Bournemouth establish territory. That can create sustained pressure, but it also leaves space either side of the centre-backs after turnovers.

Sturm are projected to use a 3-4-3, although their recent 4-4-2 against Austria Wien remains a viable alternative. Their likely approach is compact without the ball, then direct once possession is won. Diakité is the key outlet: he can run channels, occupy defenders and draw fouls in dangerous areas.

The match may hinge on Bournemouth's ability to stop Sturm's first forward pass after losing possession. If Adams and Christie recover second balls, the hosts can pin Sturm deep. If Seidl can connect with Diakité early, Bournemouth's back line will face the type of transition threat that has caused problems already this season.

Expected Starting XI

Team Lineups

Projected starting lineups for both teams.

BournemouthFormation 4-2-3-1

Sturm GrazFormation 3-4-3

Players to Watch

Key Players

Players who could have an important influence on the match.

Bournemouth

Home team

EvanilsonST
Scored Bournemouth's goal at Chelsea and remains the clearest focal point in Rose's attack.
RayanLW
Already scored in the Europa League and offers direct running from the left.
Marcus TavernierAM
A regular advanced option capable of creating or arriving late in the box.
Tyler AdamsDM
His pressing and recovery work will be vital against Sturm's transitions.

Sturm Graz

Away team

Oumar DiakitéST
Has scored three goals in his first two recent Bundesliga appearances for Sturm.
Simon SeidlAM
Sturm's league assist leader with five and an important link to the forwards.
Daniil KhudyakovGK
Made key saves during the Europa League draw with Rennes.
Joshua QuarshieCB
A major defensive option who will be tested by Bournemouth's movement and pressing.

What the Numbers Tell Us

Data Insight

What the recent numbers suggest about the matchup.

Our Reading of the Data

Bournemouth's early-season record points firmly towards goals. Six of their eight competitive fixtures have seen both teams score, six have produced over 2.5 goals, and their only clean sheet came against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. They have scored 13 and conceded 14 across that spell.

Sturm's overall numbers are more restrained, with BTTS landing in four of their last 10 matches. However, that sample includes a 0-0 draw with Rennes and several games before Diakité arrived. His recent scoring run changes the visitors' attacking outlook, especially against a Bournemouth defence that has struggled for control.

The home side's four competitive matches at Vitality Stadium have produced seven Bournemouth goals and four conceded. That provides a sound base for both teams to score, even if Sturm approach the game cautiously.

Final Verdict

Editorial

Our ConclusionBournemouthvsSturm Graz

Bournemouth should have the greater share of possession and enough attacking quality to score in their first Europa League home match. Evanilson, Rayan and Tavernier can trouble a Sturm defence missing key personnel, while the expected home lineup has plenty of energy around the final third.

But Bournemouth's defensive record cannot be ignored. They have conceded in seven of eight competitive games and were badly exposed at Chelsea. Sturm are depleted but not toothless, with Diakité arriving in England after a brace at Austria Wien. Both Teams to Score at 1.95 is the preferred selection, with a 3-1 Bournemouth win the predicted score.