2026-27 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz

Bournemouth take on Sturm Graz in their second league-phase fixture in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. 

Sat tenth in the table, victory would move Bournemouth into the top eight.

Sturm Graz meanwhile lie in 20th position and can move above the Cherries into the knockout play-off seeded positions with a win.

 

Team News

Justin Kluivert could return for Bournemouth after he missed their 5-1 Premier League loss at Chelsea due to a muscle injury.

Amine Adli (calf) is also available for selection, but Alex Scott (quad), Julian Araujo (thigh), Eli Junior Kroupi (foot) and Veljko Milosavljevic (knee) are ruled out.

Sturm Graz have no fresh injury concerns to report in a 2-0 win over Austria Wien.

Gizo Mamageishvili (foot), Nelson Weiper (pelvis/hip), Otar Kiteishvili (calf), Filip Rozga, Emran Soglo (both hamstring) and Seedy Jatta (shoulder) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bournemouth host Sturm Graz at Vitality Stadium on Thursday 15 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Bournemouth’s first meeting against Sturm Graz in all competitions
• Sturm Graz are making their first-ever trip to Bournemouth across all competitions.
• This is Bournemouth’s first competitive fixture against Austrian opposition.
• Sturm Graz are yet to win away against English opposition in all competitions (L4).

 

Prediction

After a lacklustre loss at Chelsea, Bournemouth really need to find a way to sort out their defensive fragilities because they are capable of stronger results but their defence has too often been their downfall, which is a worry although they did well to beat Real Sociedad away in their league-phase opener last month.

Sturm Graz meanwhile are coming into this game off the back of a domestic win and clean sheet but it has been 35 years since an Austrian team won on English soil, which creates a strong test for them to end that rut on top of their own poor form over here.

I however do think that Bournemouth’s better attacking quality could well give them the edge but expect goals at both ends of the pitch.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Sturm Graz