Chelsea are chasing a much-needed return to winning ways in the Premier League on Tuesday when they face Bournemouth.
The title talk has faded from the west London quarters with the Blues without a win in four league outings. Enzo Maresca’s side have been beaten by Fulham and Ipswich and held by Everton and Crystal Palace during their barren run, which has seen them drop to fourth in the table.
Morecambe’s 5-0 win in the third round of the FA Cup offered Chelsea some respite at the weekend, with centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and sumptuous playmaker Joao Felix scoring in the comfortable triumph.
Bournemouth have had an injury-hit start to the new year, but Anthony Iraola’s side showed no sign of faltering at the weekend as they beat West Brom 5-1 on the south coast. The Cherries have enjoyed a great season to this point and currently sit seventh in the Premier League table.
A maiden European berth is within reach and they will see off Tuesday’s hosts with a memorable win at the Bridge.
Behold 90 minutes guide for Chelsea vs Bournemouth at Premier League.
Chelsea v Bournemouth match record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Chelsea |
Bournemouth |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe – 01/11/25 |
Bournemouth 5-1 West Brom – 01/11/25 |
|
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea – 01/04/25 |
Bournemouth 1-0 Everton – 01/04/25 |
|
Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea – 30/12/24 |
Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth – 29/12/24 |
|
Chelsea 1-2 Fulham – 26/12/24 |
Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – 26/12/24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 22/12/24 |
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth – 22/12/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 3, Discovery+, Discovery+ app |
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United States |
Peacock |
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Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada |
There was plenty of rotation from Maresca, who was able to welcome Reece James and Romeo Lavia back into the fold after spells on the sidelines at the weekend. Both players started the cup tie on Saturday and are in contention to feature against the Cherries.
Malo Gusto is likely to return at right-back, while Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are sure to partner in the middle of the park.
Noni Madueke missed the Morecambe run due to illness but he could be welcome back on Tuesday, with Pedro Neto likely to retain his right-back.
Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all absent.
Chelsea predicted line-up against Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Sanchez? Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Sancho? Jackson.
Bournemouth have suffered some devastating injury blows at the start of the new year, with Enes Unal tearing his ACL in training after losing Evanilson to a long-term leg injury.
Impressive winger Antoine Semenyo will likely fill the gap up top for the foreseeable.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is unable to play against his parent club on Tuesday, so Mark Travers will get a rare start between the sticks. Iraola is also without Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Adam Smith, Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Prediction (4-2-3-1): Travers? Aarons, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Brooks, Kluivert, Ouattara; Semen.
Bournemouth were last beaten on November 23 and may just need confidence to get through next term without Unal and Evanilsson.
Given their injury woes, you have to project a Cherry crash at some point and a potential slump could begin in west London. Chelsea have been out of sorts over the past month, but the breathers given to many of Maresca’s key names at the weekend will serve the hosts well going into this game.
While Iraola’s side deserve huge credit for the run they’ve put together over the last couple of months, this looks like the right game for Chelsea.
