Chelsea are hoping September proves more fruitful than August for Enzo Maresca and his squad, who travel to Bournemouth this Saturday following the international break.
The Blues looked to have turned a corner after hammering Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 on the road but they have subsequently lost to Swiss outfit Servette in the Conference League and laboured to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Things need to improve swiftly for the west Londoners if they want to avoid a repeat of last season.
Bournemouth have picked up more points than Chelsea from their opening three Premier League games, chiefly thanks to their incredible comeback against Everton before the international period. Despite being 2-0 down with 87 minutes played, the Cherries scored three quickfire goals to secure one of the most impressive turnarounds of the Premier League era.
Since beating Chelsea 1-0 back in December 2019, Bournemouth haven’t managed to taste victory against the Blues. In the last six meetings, the best they could muster were two draws, one of which came at the Vitality Stadium last season.
Here is 90min’s guide to Bournemouth’s clash with Chelsea this weekend.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea on TV and live stream
Bournemouth team news
Bournemouth have a handful of fitness concerns for Saturday’s encounter, with Tyler Adams still recovering from surgery and Enes Unal unlikely to feature due to a toe problem. David Brooks is also a major doubt having missed the entirety of 2024/25 so far.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea, with Mark Travers stepping in for the Spaniard. Philip Billing could miss out as well but is closing in on a return to action having missed most of the season to date.
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Travers; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Chelsea team news
Cole Palmer withdrew himself from the England squad over the international break, sparking fears of an injury. However, the Chelsea talisman should be fit to feature at the Vitality.
Reece James is finally back from suspension but is currently battling a hamstring injury, with Omari Kellyman and Romeo Lavia also suffering with similar fitness issues. Malo Gusto was withdrawn early against Palace before the international period and faces a late fitness test to be cleared for Saturday’s clash.
There may be quick turnarounds for some of Chelsea’s South American contingent. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were both in action on Tuesday evening and will make the long trip back to England.
Jadon Sancho could make his Chelsea debut this weekend after being registered too late to play Palace last time out.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea score prediction
Chelsea will be put under pressure by a Bournemouth side who enjoy winning the ball back high up the pitch this weekend, which could cause issues for Maresca’s men if they are sloppy in their distribution from defence.
However, with the attacking threat Chelsea possess – exemplified by their six-goal haul on their last away day – the Blues should find a way to unlock a Bournemouth defence without a clean sheet this term.
Squad depth could be Chelsea’s friend on this occasion, especially given Bournemouth’s fitness concerns.