Chelsea vs Bournemouth: After a miserable run of three matches without a win for Chelsea, they are hoping to close the gap on the top four when they face Premier League side Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge at 18:30 on December 27, 2022.
Chelsea currently sits in the 8th position, and the Cherries are in the 14th position on the Premier League table. Both teams are desperate to get a win.
Match Preview
From going nine matches unbeaten under Graham Potter to losing four matches out of five in all competitions, most of the reasons were due to injuries besieging the Chelsea players.
After progressing to the Round of 16 of the Champions League, the team lost to Brighton Hove and Albion, Arsenal and Newcastle. The team also lost to Manchester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
In the mid-season friendly, Chelsea lost to Aston Villa by a goal. Although Potter made use of a young starlet in the match and Unai Emery came with his full squad.
Chelsea are eight points off the top four and two points adrift at the bottom. Questions have been raised over the future of Potter, with many criticizing the Chelsea board for bringing in an average manager.
However, Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil is facing the same issue after making an impressive run of wins shortly after he was appointed to replace Scott Parker.
The team went out of the Carabao Cup after losing to Newcastle. An own goal was enough to separate the two sides.
Before the start of the World Cup, Bournemouth lost two consecutive matches, conceding seven goals in the process.
According to history, Bournemouth have never lost in the last four matches against Chelsea, winning two and losing two. They are looking forward to extending the unbeaten run against the Blues.
Team News
Chelsea have already lost Armando Broja to a long-term injury. Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic will be taking days off to recover from the World Cup.
Wesley Fofana, N’golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are in the treatment room, hoping to get fit for the next match. Mason Mount and Kepa Arrizabalaga are likely to be part of the team.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be available to face the Cherries, and he is looking forward to scoring goals.
Bournemouth is going to play with an average team with eight out of their ten players already out due to a virus infection.
Neto and David Brooks are out until January next year. Jefferson Lemar, Lloyd Kelly, and Marcus Tavernier are going through a late fitness test.
Possible Line Up
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Gallagher, Cucurella; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Christie, Cook, Lerma, Anthony; Billing, Solanke
Prediction
Chelsea still has a strong team, but they lack compassion at the back. The team has always lacked team spirit and the ability to win matches without breaking a sweat. Hence, they are going to defeat Bournemouth.
Full time Prediction: Chelsea 3:0 Bournemouth
