Chelsea return to Premier League action on Wednesday after mixed fortunes in the cup competitions last week. The Blues lost 2-1 away at Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, but rallied to win 3-0 against Newcastle on Sunday. Marcos Alonso and a brace from Michy Batshuayi put an end to the Magpies cup run for this season.
The Blues’ hopes of retaining their Premier League title look to be over as they sit 15 points behind league leaders Manchester City, but there’s still plenty for them to play for as they’ll hope to secure a top four finish and they’re still in the Champions League. They’ll also be busy on deadline day, which also takes place on Wednesday. The club have been linked with an array of forwards over the last month, but a move for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud seems the most likely.
On the other hand, Bournemouth currently sit 12th in the Premier League, but there’s just two points separating the Cherries from Stoke in 17th. Eddie Howe’s side will be well-rested, having not played at the weekend and they’re unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches.
Chelsea vs. Bournemouth Predictions
Chelsea are getting a lot of criticism at the moment, but it’s important to remember that they’ve lost just once in their last 16 Premier League games. If Manchester City weren’t miles ahead, they wouldn’t be getting that much scrutiny at all. They’ll comfortably beat Bournemouth, who are lacking in confidence at the moment and might play into Chelsea’s hands.
Chelsea vs. Bournemouth Betting Tips
- Chelsea to win: 2/7
- Draw: 17/4
- Bournemouth to win: 21/2
- Eden Hazard to score first: 7/2
- Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals: 6/5
Head to Head
- Chelsea have won nine of their last 10 matches against Bournemouth in all competitions, losing the other 0-1 in December 2015 at Stamford Bridge in their first Premier League meeting.
- Bournemouth have failed to score in three of their five previous visits to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, scoring just twice and never more than once in a game.
- Bournemouth have yet to win a Premier League game played on a Wednesday (D1 L2).
- In contrast, Chelsea have lost only one of their last 20 Premier League matches on Wednesday (W11 D8).
- The Blues have kept four consecutive clean sheets in Premier League home games, their longest such streak since a run of five in January 2015.
- The Cherries are unbeaten in five Premier League matches, alternating between a draw (3) and victory (2) each time. Their longest unbeaten run in the competition was a run of six games (W3 D3) between November and December 2015.
- Excluding own goals, only Tottenham (26) have had more Premier League goals scored via English players than Bournemouth this season (17). Meanwhile, no side has had fewer goals from English players than Chelsea (1, level with Burnley).
- Ross Barkley has had a hand in five goals in four Premier League matches against the Cherries (two goals, three assists).
- Eden Hazard has scored five goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Bournemouth.
- Willian has had a hand in eight goals in his last five Premier League starts (3 goals, 5 assists), compared to scoring none and providing just one assist in his first seven starts in the competition this season.
Chelsea Team News
Alvaro Morata, David Luiz and Willian will all miss out, but there’s good news for Antonio Conte as Cesc Fabregas and Thibaut Courtois have both returned from injury.
Probable Chelsea XI: Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Antonio Rudiger, Victor Moses, Tiemoue Bakayoko, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso, Pedro, Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard
Bournemouth Team News
Bournemouth will be without both Tyrone Mings and Jermaine Defoe, who are both out with injuries. Harry Arter is also a doubt as he’s suffering from illness.
Probable Bournemouth XI: Asmir Begovic, Steve Cook, Simon Francis, Nathan Ake, Adam Smith, Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling, Charlie Daniels, Jordon Ibe, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser
