Prediction: Chelsea vs Bournemouth

Verdict: Chelsea win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to refined their Premier League winning touch, Chelsea will welcome a struggling Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea may have managed to secure a spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, the Blues are likely to still be feeling the effects of their hammering away at Goodison Park last weekend. Hit with a 3-1 defeat against a managerless Everton last time out, Frank Lampard has seen his side lose three of their last four Premier League outings and their top-four buffer is being cut by the week. While leading marksman Tammy Abraham may have once again found the net on European duties in midweek and scored in each of his last three matches at Stamford Bridge, the reigning Europa League winners have continued to show some glaring issues at the back. Along with being hit with a 1-0 defeat against relegation scrappers West Ham earlier in the month, Chelsea have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their last 11 matches across all competitions, a run that stems back to the 23rd October.

Team News

Chelsea are still missing centre-back Fikayo Tomori, who was not considered for Champions League duty on Tuesday because of a hip injury.

Antonio Rudiger is set to continue in defence, while Mason Mount could return after being left out in midweek.

Bournemouth

As for the visitors, hit with a 3-0 defeat against league leaders Liverpool at the Vitality last weekend, Bournemouth suddenly find themselves in the midst of a real struggle. Since picking up a 1-0 win over Manchester United last month, Eddie Howe’s men have lost their last five Premier League matches on the bounce. Now holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, the Cherries have continued to show some glaring issues on the road. Along with losing their last three matches away from the South Coast and failing to win any of their last six away matches across all competitions, it should also be noted that Saturday’s guests have won just four Premier League matches away from the Vitality in 2019. With the mood in their camp the lowest it has been in recent memory, Bournemouth have also begun to show a far less clinical edge in the final third. Howe’s men have failed to find the net in back-to-back appearances and have not scored more than a single goal in any of their last nine outings.

Team News

Bournemouth’s injury crisis continues, with Callum Wilson and Nathan Ake among eight senior players ruled out.

Josh King is in contention, and Harry Wilson returns after being ineligible to face parent club Liverpool.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met back in January at the Vitality, Bournemouth came away with a shock 4-0 victory.
• Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League appearances.
• Tammy Abraham has scored in each of his last three matches at Stamford Bridge across all competitions.
• Bournemouth have lost their last five Premier League matches on the bounce.
• The Cherries have won just four of away matches in 2019.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might be showing some Premier League struggles of late, there is no doubt that Saturday’s hosts should see this weekend as a golden opportunity to bounce back. While we do expect Bournemouth to cash in on the former champions issues at the back, Eddie Howe’s men have continued on what has been a woeful run of form, particularly on the road. Losing their last three straight matches away from the Vitality, we’re backing a home victory at Stamford Bridge.

Verdict: Chelsea win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Bet365