Chelsea - Bournemouth: Preview and Lineups Prediction
The Blues will be hoping to secure their third victory in four matches when they play host to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge for the fir...
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A win could see Jose Mourinho's men take a small step towards redeeming their season by moving up to 13th in the Premier League if West Bromwich Albion lose to Tottenham on Sunday.
Bournemouth Team News
Eddie Howe is the midst of an injury nightmare with no fewer than 10 first-team players out of action for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Adam Federici (ankle), Harry After (hamstring), Lee Tomlin (groin), Artur Boruc (knee), Marc Pugh (calf), Callum Wilson (knee), Tommy Elphick (ankle), Max Gradel (knee) and Tyrone Mings (knee) will all be missing from the Cherries' squad this Saturday.
Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu is also carrying a calf injury, although he would be ineligible to play against his parent club regardless.
Although Chelsea has somewhat turned around its horrific run of form with back to back victories over Norwich and Maccabi Tel Aviv before earning a hard-fought draw away to Spurs, the Londoners can't afford to be complacent against a brave Cherries side.
Eddie Howe is the midst of an injury nightmare with no fewer than 10 first-team players out of action for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Adam Federici (ankle), Harry After (hamstring), Lee Tomlin (groin), Artur Boruc (knee), Marc Pugh (calf), Callum Wilson (knee), Tommy Elphick (ankle), Max Gradel (knee) and Tyrone Mings (knee) will all be missing from the Cherries' squad this Saturday.
Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu is also carrying a calf injury, although he would be ineligible to play against his parent club regardless.
Bournemouth Starting XI Prediction
Allsopp | Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels | Gosling, Surman | Ritchie, King, Stanislas | Murray
Last Five Meetings
Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea (League Cup, October 1994)
Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth (League Cup, September 1994)
Bournemouth 2-3 Chelsea (Zenith Data Systems Cup, November 1989)
Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth (League Division Two, March 1989)
Bournemouth 1-0 Chelsea (League Division Two, September 1988)
Score Prediction
Chelsea has certainly been playing some better football of late compared to the early stages of our campaign, but I'm still not convinced we're anywhere near the level required to surge back into contention for Champions League qualification.
Yes, we edged past Norwich City, thumped Maccabi Tel Aviv, and earned a gritty point against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. However, as I'm sure many Blues fans will agree, none of these performances have indicated a series of victories is bound to follow.
What the last month has offered, though, is a significant confidence boost. Squad morale has undoubtedly been close to rock bottom this season, and yet I don't think it has affected our campaign all that much. For me, a lack of leadership has been our most significant fault — without John Terry in the side, we look lost.
It seems nobody else is willing to step up and set an example for the other ten men around them. It's this gutless, haphazard approach that has plagued our season from the day one and it simply must change.
Hopefully with a decent string of results behind us, our key men including Hazard, Fabregas and even Diego Costa can prove we still have one of the best squads in the country, and one that's capable of fighting for European qualification this term.
I think we can beat Bournemouth 3-0 at the Bridge. What are your score predictions?
Allsopp | Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels | Gosling, Surman | Ritchie, King, Stanislas | Murray
Last Five Meetings
Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea (League Cup, October 1994)
Chelsea 1-0 Bournemouth (League Cup, September 1994)
Bournemouth 2-3 Chelsea (Zenith Data Systems Cup, November 1989)
Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth (League Division Two, March 1989)
Bournemouth 1-0 Chelsea (League Division Two, September 1988)
Score Prediction
Chelsea has certainly been playing some better football of late compared to the early stages of our campaign, but I'm still not convinced we're anywhere near the level required to surge back into contention for Champions League qualification.
Yes, we edged past Norwich City, thumped Maccabi Tel Aviv, and earned a gritty point against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. However, as I'm sure many Blues fans will agree, none of these performances have indicated a series of victories is bound to follow.
What the last month has offered, though, is a significant confidence boost. Squad morale has undoubtedly been close to rock bottom this season, and yet I don't think it has affected our campaign all that much. For me, a lack of leadership has been our most significant fault — without John Terry in the side, we look lost.
It seems nobody else is willing to step up and set an example for the other ten men around them. It's this gutless, haphazard approach that has plagued our season from the day one and it simply must change.
Hopefully with a decent string of results behind us, our key men including Hazard, Fabregas and even Diego Costa can prove we still have one of the best squads in the country, and one that's capable of fighting for European qualification this term.
I think we can beat Bournemouth 3-0 at the Bridge. What are your score predictions?
