Chelsea will host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday night, hoping to get their season back on track with a home win.
Chelsea, who face Bournemouth next, have had a dismal start to the campaign, and they are currently ninth in the Premier League table. Graham Potter will be expected to guide them to UEFA Champions League qualification at the very least.
It will be interesting to see if the Blues can begin the second half of the campaign with a win against the Cherries. On the other hand, Bournemouth are currently 14th in the standings, and they will want to get as far away as possible from the bottom three. Chelsea have been inconsistent this season, and the Cherries will fancy their chances of pulling off an upset here.
Bournemouth will have a fully-rested squad heading into this game, and Chelsea will have to step up their performance levels in order to grind out all three points, especially without some of their key players. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Watch Graham Potter look ahead to our game with AFC Bournemouth! https://t.co/DcHTrZMbaf
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 23, 2022
Team News & Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea will be without the services of Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, and Armando Broja due to injury problems. Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech are unlikely to feature in this game following their participation in the World Cup.
The likes of Carney Chukwuemeka, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ben Chilwell, and Kepa Arrizabalaga are doubts for the home side. But they are expected to return to action soon.
Graham Potter is expected to field his team in a 3-4-3 formation with Edouard Mendy in goal. The back three will comprise of Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Reece James is expected to return to action here after missing the World Cup due to an injury. James will start as the right-sided wing-back, with Marc Cucurella on the left. Jorginho will partner Connor Gallagher at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield.
Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz are expected to be deployed as the wide players in the front three, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line centrally. Christian Pulisic will be the backup offensive option for Chelsea.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly; James, Gallagher, Jorginho, Cucurella; Sterling, Aubameyang, Havertz
Bournemouth
As far as Bournemouth are concerned, they will be without the services of David Brooks, Neto, Jefferson Lerma, Marcus Tavernier, and Ryan Fredericks because of injuries. The visitors are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Mark Travers in goal.
Adam Smith and Jordan Zemura are expected to start as the full-backs, with Jack Stephens partnering with Marcos Senesi featuring at the heart of the Bournemouth defence.
Ryan Christie and Jaidon Anthony will start as the wingers, and Lewis Cook is set to partner Philip Billing at the heart of their midfield. Dominic Solanke will partner with Kieffer Moore in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Travers; Smith, Stephens, Senesi, Zemura; Christie, Cook, Billing, Anthony; Solanke, Moore
Key Stats
- Bournemouth have conceded more goals (32) than any other side in the Premier League this season.
- Gary O’Neil’s side have had fewer shots than any other Premier League side this season – 122.
- No player has been involved in more Premier League goals for Bournemouth this season than Marcus Tavernier (six, two goals, four assists).
- The two teams have locked horns 17 times across competitions, including their first meeting in 1988. The Blues lead 11-5, while one game has been drawn.
- The Blues are winless in their last three meetings against Bournemouth, losing twice.
Player to Watch
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The summer signing has not been at his best since joining Chelsea and he will be desperate to prove himself at Stamford Bridge against Bournemouth.
The Cherries have been porous at the back this season, conceding 32 goals in 15 Premier League matches. Aubameyang will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet here, and he is our man to watch out for on Tuesday night.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth
Chelsea will be the overwhelming favorites heading into the contest despite missing a number of their key players here. Bournemouth have lost four of their last six league matches and are massive underdogs here. Chelsea will be desperate to get their season back on track, and The Hard Tackle predicts them to pick up a comfortable 3-0 win here.