Chelsea vs Bourmenouth Prediction

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Chelsea vs Bournemouth Prediction Match Overview

There is now the return of league football after players’ escapades at the World Cup. Chelsea vs Bournemouth kicks off at 5.30 pm on 27 December at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea had numerous players play at the World Cup. However, except for two, all were eliminated at the quarter-final point or earlier. Hence, most should be ready for this game against the Cherries. The two players who will likely not make it after reaching the semi-finals are Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech. Important players such as Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, and Wesley Fofana are still injured. Bournemouth had few players at the World Cup. However, Welshmen Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore were eliminated from the group, so they should be rested. Marcus Tavernier and Jefferson Lerma are doubts, but they will probably start.

Chelsea have experienced a poor run over the recent six matches. They have won only once, six games ago, and indeed have lost the last three. Graham Potter has had a challenging time since taking over in September. Across this run, they have only scored four goals and haven’t won in their last two home games. They are 15th in the form table over this period. However, the break will allow them to reset.

Gary O’Neil was recently appointed Bournemouth head coach after a commednable run as caretaker manager. After that decent run, they have begun to struggle again. Indeed, Bournemouth are 17th in the form table over the last six games. However, they find themselves in 14th place in the Premier League table, which is better than expected at the start of the season. Their six recent games have generally been high-scoring, having registered ten goals and conceded twelve. Their away form is poor, having won only once in the last six games. However, they did win their most recent home match 3-0 against Everton immediately before the break.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Might Not Play: Kepa, Chukwuemeka, Loftus-Cheek, James, Kovacic, Ziyech (Chelsea); Kelly, Lerma, Tavernier (Bournemouth)

Will Not Play: Chilwell, Fofana, Kante, Broja (Chelsea); Neto, Brooks (Bournemouth)

Possible Lineups

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Marc Cucurella, Trevor Chalobah, Kalidou Koulibaly, Reece James; Jorginho, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount; Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Bournemouth (4-4-2): Mark Travers; Jordan Zemura, Marcos Senesi, Chris Mepham, Adam Smith; Philip Billing, Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, Marcus Tavernier; Dominic Solanke, Kieffer Moore

Chelsea vs Bournemouth Prediction Analysis

Midfield Contest

Chelsea will likely line up in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation in Chelsea vs Bournemouth, with Mason Mount playing as the most advanced midfielder and operating in the hole. Jorginho missed the World Cup as Italy didn’t qualify. Equally, Conor Gallagher was an unused substitute for England, so they should be fresh. Denis Zakaria and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also options. Jorginho must try to control the game in his usual fashion. He will try to make short passes to dominate the ball. Indeed, Bournemouth only had 34 per cent of possession in their home win against Everton. Away at Chelsea, we see this being similar, and Bournemouth will look to play on the counter-attack as the onus will be on the home team to create and win the game. We expect Bournemouth to play a 4-4-2, but Billing and Tavernier will come deeper to help Zemura and Smith at full-back. They will also come narrower to aid Lerma and Cook in midfield as the situation demands.

Bournemouth are clearly the inferior team on paper. Therefore, their entire side must work hard and try to press areas where Chelsea are vulnerable. Lerma pushing onto Joringho before the Italian can start attacks is a good starting point. Lerma is an energetic midfielder who can try to disrupt the Londoners’ rhythm in this match. Bournemouth must be diligent in their defensive duties. If not, Jorginho, Mount, and the busy Gallagher have the ability to play through them and feed the front three. Mount will often drop deeper to make an extra man in midfield, so it is again crucial that the Bournemouth wide men help the midfielders. If they don’t adequately perform their defensive duties, then Lerma and Cook will be outnumbered in the middle. Solanke and Moore may also come back into midfield to assist. Generally speaking, Bournemouth must compensate for their inferior quality with an industrious performance.

Attacking Areas

Chelsea have several attacking options though their front three will likely be Sterling, Havertz, and Aubameyang. Sterling prefers to play on the left, but he has been used in numerous positions under Potter – bizarrely, even as a wing-back at points. Sterling enjoys attacking opposition full-backs and making runs into the box to get on the end of passes. Therefore, we can expect him to make Smith work for his money at right-back. Sterling will link up with the attacking Cucurella. Between them, they will try to find little avenues to exploit to enter the box and find spaces for Sterling to cut inside and shoot. Havertz is less pacey and more technical on the other side, and he can also play the same role Mount does. James will be rusty if he plays, given his long injury-lay off, but he is a very exciting full-back who can create and score. He will link up with Havertz and Mount down the right in an effort to break down the Bournemouth rearguard. The Bournemouth central defenders and full-backs have their work cut out for them. They must also be wary of Aubameyang’s pace, movement, and finishing in the middle. As stated, Chelsea scored only four goals in their previous six games, but it is a blank slate now, and they will be determined to win this game handily. Hence, we expect them to hit Bournemouth with everything they’ve got. Christian Pulisic is a potential wide option from the bench for Chelsea, and Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta are in contention to start at the back.

Bournemouth are a rather physical side. Tavernier is a tricky customer who can score goals, and Moore is a battering ram up front. Solanke is relatively quick and can cause problems too. It will likely come on the counter-attack if they are to have any joy in this match. Tavernier must try to create, and he will attack Cucurella and try to send balls into the box for Moore and Solanke to attack. Billing can exploit the spaces James vacates when he goes forward. A direct approach with wing play and crosses may be Bournemouth’s best chance of scoring despite the tall, physical central defenders in the Chelsea backline. They can bring on Ryan Christie and Jaidon Anthony in the second half if they are chasing a deficit.

Beat the Bookmaker Chelsea vs Bournemouth Prediction

With the World Cup break over and both teams in underwhelming form, an upset is more on the cards in Chelsea vs Bournemouth than it would have been if the hosts were playing well. Of course, the sensible prediction is a Chelsea victory. They are at home and have significantly better players. Bournemouth have struggled in the last six, too (other than their previous game), so it isn’t like they enter the game cheerily themselves. However, Chelsea are missing several players due to injury and World Cup exertions. If James is fit and ready, he could make a big difference. He is a potent weapon from right-back, particularly against modest opposition. We think Chelsea will win this game, but their recent performances and results won’t have filled them with confidence. They will likely dominate the ball, but Bournemouth will be fresh, and we are predicting a one-goal win in a game which won’t be as comfortable as it could be.

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

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