Bournemouth v Chelsea preview
Bournemouth’s faltering season sees them host Chelsea on the back of another defeat – this time at home to Everton.
The Cherries were threatening the top four not too long ago but a run of four defeats in five games has seen them drop all the way to 14th in a congested Premier League table.
Chelsea, meanwhile, were beaten by Leeds in midweek and may turn to fit-again Cole Palmer to reignite their challenge at the top.
Chelsea have lost both of their Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday this season, going down at home to both Brighton and Sunderland.
Bournemouth v Chelsea team news
Bournemouth are without Scotland internationals Benn Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie, while Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams are both suspended to leave the Cherries light in midfield.
On the positive side, Marcos Senesi and David Brooks are back from bans of their own.
Chelsea could start Palmer after he came off the bench in midweek. Moises Caicedo is suspended.
Bournemouth v Chelsea predicted lineups
Bournemouth starting XI: Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Tavernier; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
How to watch Bournemouth v Chelsea: TV channel, online live streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:00 GMT (10:00 ET / 07:00 PT). This match is not being shown on live TV or stream in the UK.
Bournemouth v Chelsea stats
- Bournemouth are winless in their last seven Premier League games against Chelsea (D3 L4), having won three of their previous four (L1)
- This is Bournemouth’s eighth Premier League game kicking off at 3pm on Saturday this season, with only Burnley and Sunderland playing more in this slot (10 including today’s games)
- The Cherries won each of their first three such games but are since winless in four (D3 L1), going down 3-2 at Sunderland last week
- Bournemouth have suffered losses in four of their last five Premier League games (D1), more than they had in their previous 17 (W8 D6 L3)
- Antoine Semenyo has failed to score or assist a goal in any of his last six Premier League appearances. After the first seven match rounds this season, he was second only to Erling Haaland (10) for goal involvements (9 – 6 goals, 3 assists)
- Chelsea have lost one of their eight Premier League away games against Bournemouth (W5 D2), going down 4-0 in January 2019 under Maurizio Sarri
- They have lost both of their Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday this season, going down at home to both Brighton and Sunderland. The Blues haven’t lost three in a row in this kick-off slot since November 2000 (vs Southampton, Charlton and Everton)
- Enzo Maresca’s side are on the longest current scoring streak of any side in the Premier League, netting in all 13 of their games since a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend
- Only Arsenal have conceded fewer home goals than Bournemouth (5) in the Premier League this season, although Andoni Iraola’s team suffered their first home defeat of the season against Everton last time out
- Chelsea’s Joao Pedro opened the scoring within the opening 15 minutes in both of Brighton’s Premier League meetings with Bournemouth last season, with the Seagulls going on to win 2-1 both times
- The Brazil striker is looking to score in three in a row against an opponent for the first time in the competition
- No Chelsea player has either scored (5) or been involved in (7) more Premier League goals than Pedro Neto this season. The Portuguese has been involved in six goals in his last seven appearances in the competition (4 goals, 2 assists)
