After a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest just before the international break, Chelsea is geared up to make a comeback as they travel to face AFC Bournemouth this coming Sunday. Fans are anxiously awaiting a strong reaction from the players as they strive to revive their Premier League campaign, having secured just one victory from four league matches, currently languishing in the 12th position on the league table.
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, is under immense pressure to secure a statement win, understanding that failure to do so could set off early alarms at Stamford Bridge. On the flip side, Bournemouth finds themselves in the 16th spot on the league table, enduring four winless matches.
The prospect of claiming all three points against an uncertain Chelsea side serves as a tantalizing opportunity for the Cherries to reinvigorate their season.
Team News
For AFC Bournemouth, there is some positive news on the injury front. Lewis Cook is back in contention after making a successful return from injury in the match against Brentford just before the international break. Additionally, Adam Smith and Marcus Tavernier have resumed training.
However, Dango Ouattara is fit, while Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, and Alex Scott remain sidelined.
Chelsea will have to do without the services of Armando Broja and Benoit Badiashile for this fixture, as their returns from long-term injuries are scheduled for the following week. Furthermore, Christopher Nkunku (knee), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana, and Marcus Bettinelli are all unavailable for selection.
Key Stats
Historically, Bournemouth has struggled when hosting Chelsea in the Premier League, losing four out of their six home fixtures, with their sole victory dating back to a 4-0 triumph in January 2019.
Chelsea has exhibited consistent offensive prowess against Bournemouth in recent encounters, scoring at least two goals in their last four matches across all competitions. Impressively, Chelsea has secured victory in their previous three meetings with Bournemouth in various competitions.
When these two sides collide, the spectators can expect goals, as 18 have been netted in their last six encounters.
On the flip side, Bournemouth’s defense has been leaky, conceding ten goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
As Sunday approaches, both Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth are undoubtedly aware of the importance of securing a positive result, with Chelsea aiming to climb the league table, and Bournemouth looking to ignite their season with a spark against their formidable opponents. Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this showdown at the Vitality Stadium.
