Chelsea travel to Dean Court in a bid to get back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats.
Bournemouth will look to pile on more misery on the Blues this season and do a double with a victory in front of their home fans at the Vitality Stadium. A victory against Chelsea would see both teams level on points.
Last weekend, Bournemouth lost 2-1 to an in-form Liverpool at home. The Reds never looked like they were going to lose and maintained control from start to finish. Bournemouth pulled a goal back via Josh King, but it was too late.
After Swansea City ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run since December, it was Manchester City’s turn to go to Stamford Bridge and hand out a thrashing, with Sergio Aguero netting a hat-trick. The Blues are now 10th with no hope for any sort of European Football next term.
Possible Lineups
Bournemouth
Bournemouth have Tokelo Rantie, Benik Afobe, Harry Arter, Tyrone Mings and Adam Smith all still sidelined.
Possible Starting XI: Boruc; Daniels, Elphick, Cook, Francis; Surman, Gosling, Gradel, Stanislas, Ritchie, King
Chelsea
This match will see the return of Eden Hazard in some form, following a hip injury. John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Loic Remy are still out.
Possible Starting XI: Begovic; Baba, Cahill, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic, Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Costa
Key Statistics
- Bournemouth have lost 4 of their last 6 meetings against Chelsea.
- Bournemouth have not scored in 3 of their last 5 matches against Chelsea, scoring a total of 3 goals across their last 5.
- Chelsea have conceded just 3 goals in 8 Premier League away games since the arrival of Guus Hiddink.
- 97 seconds was all it took for Bournemouth striker Glenn Murray to score the winner against Chelsea in December, after coming on as a late substitute.
- Bournemouth have lost their last two home league matches – they have not lost three in a row in league competition at home since March 2013.
- Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has scored 5 league goals from just 8 shots on target this term.
- Even if Chelsea win their remaining five games of the season, their maximum points tally will be 59. This will be the lowest by a reigning top-flight league champion since Leeds United in 1992-93 (51).
Predictions
Bournemouth 2 – 2 Chelsea
Chelsea are expected to bounce back from consecutive losses with a win at the Vitality Stadium. However, with nothing to play for either side and with the pressure off, Bournemouth will be the more inspired of the two sides after having all but beaten the drop.
Odds (Paddy Power)
- Bournemouth Win : 2/1
- Draw : 23/10
- Chelsea Win : 7/5
