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Chelsea vs. Bournemouth: EPL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction
Chelsea and Bournemouth, who are separated in the Premier League standings by only three points, will be looking to build on their resounding FA Cup triumphs in Tuesday's top-flight matchup at Stamford Bridge.
On Saturday, Enzo Maresca's squad scored five goals against Morecambe with no response, while the Cherries cruised into the fourth round with a 5-1 thrashing of West Bromwich Albion.
Previous Matches and Head-to-head
On Saturday, Maresca's second Chelsea XI had a relatively carefree day as they cruised to a 5-0 victory against Morecambe at their West London home, continuing a trend that has been prevalent in this season's Conference League.
At Stamford Bridge, long-range goals were the norm, as Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix each scored twice. Christopher Nkunku, who had earlier provided the visiting fans with the day's highlight with a penalty save by Harry Burgoyne, also scored his typical cup goal.
Chelsea may have been vindicated by their manager's assessment that they were not serious championship challengers after suffering a string of heavy defeats in the Premier League, including the missed penalty shot.
After a disappointing run of two points out of a possible twelve in their past four Premier League games—including a 1-1 draw with London rivals Crystal Palace—Chelsea are now ten points behind leaders Liverpool, despite having played one more game than the Reds.
For the first time since September 2023, the Blues might lose consecutive Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge if Bournemouth, Manchester City, and Newcastle United all pull off victories in this week's round of fixtures.
While Bournemouth also rolled over lower-league opponents, they had to work for it when West Brom's Caleb Taylor scored first. However, after taking the lead, the Cherries went on a tear, extending their incredible undefeated run.
The third-round thrashing at the Vitality Stadium was Bournemouth's eighth consecutive game without a loss, and Dango Ouattara scored twice in the match. Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, and Daniel Jebbison all had a hand in the score.
The Cherries' European credentials were bolstered, and their position in the top seven of the Premier League was solidified with a single goal from David Brooks, even if Andoni Iraola's crop was not in particularly hot goal-scoring form when Everton visited on January 4.
Only the top two teams in the league, Liverpool (15 games) and Arsenal (10 games), are now riding longer streaks without a loss; Bournemouth have broken club records with an eight-game undefeated run since their previous setback against Brighton & Hove Albion in late November.
The Cherries have been on a roll away from home, scoring multiple goals in each of their past five Premier League games. However, after losing 1-0 at home to Chelsea in September due to an injury to Nkunku, they have gone winless in their last six matches against the Blues.
Chelsea x Bournemouth Team News
Noni Madueke's absence from the Morecambe mauling owing to sickness is the only fresh issue for Chelsea, other than the already-known absences of Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), Omari Kellyman (hamstring), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (unspecified).
Maresca will start his starting lineup with at least ten changes for Tuesday's game; the winger may have to establish his health in a hurry if he wants to play. Pedro Neto might be the only starter from Saturday who keeps his spot.
Adarabioyo might also be considered for a defensive position reprise. Still, Maresca should start the teenage sensation Josh Acheampong in the starting lineup again when he returns from the cold after signing a new deal.
The Cherries are poised to sign a new striker this month after returning Jebbison from his loan at Watford. At the same time, Bournemouth struck West Brom for five goals despite losing Enes Unal (knee) and Evanilson (foot) to long-term injuries earlier in the month.
The 21-year-old has already established his claim to starting at Stamford Bridge thanks to his goal last weekend. Still, with 20-year-old Ben Winterburn stepping down, Ouattara or Semenyo should lead the attack this Saturday.
In addition to Adam Smith (unspecified), Julian Araujo (thigh), Alex Scott (knee), Marcus Tavernier (thigh), Luis Sinisterra (thigh), and Marcos Senesi (thigh), Adam Smith's understudy Max Aarons is rumored to be about to sign with Valencia. However, he did play half of the game against West Brom.
Our Predictions
Chelsea to win & over 2.5 goals @ 1.99 on Sky247.ng
Even though Bournemouth has scored more goals by substitutes than any other Premier League team in the 2024–25 season, the game should not be decided too soon at Stamford Bridge.
But with a severely lacking attacking and defensive depth chart, the Cherries go to West London hoping to terminate their miraculous undefeated run and Chelsea's worrisome losing streak with a victory against a rejuvenated starting eleven.
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