Premier League Live: Chelsea vs Bournemouth, Preview and prediction
The Blues have started the season poorly and are currently ninth in the table. At least Graham Potter is expected to lead them to Champions League qualification.
Follow all of today's Football matches on our Live Match Centre
Graham Potter needs to restart the race for Chelsea.It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can start the second half of the season with a win against the Cherries.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stats to back up that Kepa has been great this season despite Chelsea not doing well. <a href="https://t.co/1Y9sSopJcd">pic.twitter.com/1Y9sSopJcd</a></p>— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankKhalidUK/status/1607632725732888576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On the other hand, Bournemouth are currently 14th in the table and will be looking to move as far away from the bottom three as possible.
Chelsea have been inconsistent this season, and the Cherries will fancy their chances of getting a draw here.
Bournemouth will go into this game with a rested squad, and Chelsea will have to step up their performance to take all three points, especially without some of their key players.
Team news
Chelsea
Due to injury issues, Chelsea will be missing Wesley Fofana, N'Golo Kante, and Armando Broja. After playing in the World Cup, Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech are unlikely to be involved.
For the home side, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ben Chilwell and Kepa Arrizabalaga are questionable but should be ready to return soon.
Reece James, who was injured and missed the World Cup, is anticipated to play again. Marc Cucurella will play on the left and James will start at right-back. Jorginho and Connor Gallagher will make up the central midfield for Chelsea.
Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz are expected to be used as wide players in the front three, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will take the central position.
Bournemouth
Due to injuries, David Brooks, Neto, Jefferson Lerma, Marcus Tavernier, and Ryan Fredericks won't be available to Bournemouth.
With Mark Travers in goal, the visitors are anticipated to employ a 4-4-2 formation.
Adam Smith and Jordan Zemura are expected to start as a full-back, while Jack Stephens will form the centre of defence along with Marcos Senesi.
Ryan Christie and Jaidon Anthony will play on the wings, and Lewis Cook will form the midfield along with Phillip Billing.
Dominic Solanke will play in the attack along with Kieffer Moore.
Game Prediction
Chelsea 2: 2 Bournemouth
1. Chelsea have lost four of their last five competitive matches, most recently losing 1-0 away to Newcastle before the World Cup break. They have also failed to score in their last three competitive matches.
2. Before this game, Bournemouth were eliminated from the League Cup with a 1-0 loss to Newcastle. They have won only two from the last six competitive matches against Everton, one in the League Cup and one in the league.
3. Both teams are currently in a slump of form, so this game may end in a draw.