ALBION will kick-off 2019 with successive away games after a tough FA Cup third round draw away to Premier League rivals Bournemouth.

The Seagulls launch the New Year with a trip to West Ham on Wednesday January 2.

The third round ties are staged between January 4 and 7, which means Albion will be travelling along the south coast twice in a fortnight.

They visit Bournemouth in the league on December 22.

Eddie Howe's side are currently ninth, two points and two places above Albion.

Bournemouth knocked them out of the League Cup last season 1-0 after-extra-time at the Vitality Stadium.

The Seagulls also lost the league encounter away from home 2-1 four days earlier.

The clash at the Amex on New Year's Day ended deadlocked as well, Glenn Murray on target in a 2-2 draw.

The tie pits Murray against another of his former clubs after knocking out tonight's opponents Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round last season.