Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz: Lengthy Injury Lists
Published
Bournemouth meet Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday 15 October 2026 at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, Dorset, with fourteen players sidelined across the two sides.
Bournemouth missing six through injury
The home side enter the contest 10th in the 36-team Europa League standings after opening their European campaign with a 2-1 win away at Real Sociedad on 17 September 2026. Domestic outings have proved heavier, ending in a 1-5 defeat away at Chelsea on 10 October 2026 and a 0-1 home defeat to Liverpool on 20 September 2026. Six players are unavailable for selection: Alex Scott, Amine Adli, Julián Araujo, Junior Kroupi, Justin Kluivert, and Veljko Milosavljević are all ruled out through injury. Top scorer R. Christie, who has scored three goals across all competitions this season, remains available to lead an attack that generates 1.49 expected goals per game while allowing 1.00.
Sturm Graz arrive without seven confirmed regulars
Sturm Graz sit 20th in the league phase after a 0-0 home draw against Rennes on 16 September 2026. The Austrian side have struggled to score in European competition since August, following consecutive defeats against Fenerbahçe in a 0-2 away loss on 5 August 2026 and a 0-1 home reverse on 11 August 2026. Their injury list is extensive: Emran Soglo, Filip Rózga, Gizo Mamageishvili, Leon Grgić, Nelson Weiper, Otar Kiteishvili, and Seedy Jatta are all ruled out, while Albert Vallci remains doubtful. Across their last five matches with chance data, Sturm Graz have recorded 1.34 expected goals per game while conceding 1.60.
Our model firmly expects a Bournemouth win
Our forecasting model firmly expects a Bournemouth win. Although Bournemouth conceded five away to Chelsea on 10 October 2026, their broader underlying performance shows a clear defensive advantage, allowing 1.00 expected goals per game compared to 1.60 conceded by Sturm Graz. Sturm Graz have also failed to score in their last three European fixtures, tilting the balance towards the home side despite missing six players.