2024-25 Premier League: Week Four – Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Bournemouth host Chelsea in a Saturday Night Football encounter at Vitality Stadium. 

Depending upon results elsewhere earlier in the day, victory could put Bournemouth up to third in the table.

Chelsea meanwhile could move into the top half with a win.

 

Team News

Philip Billing could return for Bournemouth after he missed their last three matches with a back injury.

Enes Unal (foot) could return but Dango Ouattara (ankle) has been ruled out following his return from international duty for Burkina Faso.

Tyler Adams (back) remains ruled out.

Chelsea could welcome Cole Palmer (groin) back into contention after he withdrew from international duty for England.

Omari Kellyman (hamstring) and Filip Jorgensen (unspecified) could also be in contention.

Malo Gusto (muscle), Romeo Lavia and Reece James (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bournemouth host Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday 14 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth are winless in their last five meetings against Chelsea (D2, L3).
• Chelsea have lost one of seven Premier League visits to Bournemouth (W4, D2, L1).
• Three of Chelsea’s last five goals at Bournemouth were scored by defenders (Marcos Alonso x 2, Benoit Badiashile x 1).
• Dean Huijsen has won more aerial duels than any of his teammates in Bournemouth’s first three league games this campaign (10).
• Palmer has been booked in each of Chelsea’s last two league matches.

 

Prediction

Although clean sheets are still an issue, Bournemouth have done well to take five points from three matches after a gutsy spirited late comeback at Everton, but they will need to be more solid defensively if they want a result here.

Chelsea though were largely wasteful in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace despite their first-half lead, and were frankly lucky to snatch a point thanks to Robert Sanchez’s second-half saves so a more clinical performance has to be the aim.

For all of Bournemouth’s attacking quality in their first three games, I can see their leaky defence costing them a result in this match if Chelsea can hit their peak and aren’t sloppy in attack.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea

Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea