One one of the most intriguing ties of the Premier League weekend is Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.
The up-and-coming Cherries under manager Andoni Iraola take on a Blues squad crammed with talent but struggling for consistent form. As such, this could be a real chess match on the South Coast.
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Bournemouth vs Chelsea
Saturday, September 14, 8pm
Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK
Live on Sky Sports
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Preview
The home side are unbeaten so far in the Premier League and have shown impressive resolve, particularly when overcoming a 2-0 deficit to beat Everton 3-2 in their last outing.
The Cherries have also taken points off Europe-hunting Newcastle, continuing to prove their effectiveness under Iraola – who has turned Bournemouth from relegation strugglers into a quality outfit.
Bournemouth have consolidated their new expectations with signings to match, bringing in high-quality stars like £40 million striker Evanilson and Luis Sinisterra, who arrived from Porto and Leeds respectively.
But they also focused on young talent in the summer, bringing in Daniel Jebbison from Sheffield United and Mexican full-back Julian Araujo, who has swapped Barcelona for the South Coast.
Chelsea will no doubt be the toughest test Bournemouth have faced so far in a stylistic sense, as with the sheer number of options the Blues have it can be pure chaos trying to nullify all of their attacking options. But they tend to be reckless and disorganised at times, something the Cherries will hope to capitalise on.
Enzo Maresca’s side have delivered patchy form thus far which has left them a way off where they would like to be at the end of the season.
But at this early stage and with so much talent – including fresh faces like Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho – it seems only a matter of time before Chelsea are challenging near the top.
While Chelsea have not struggled to find the net this season, evidenced by a 6-2 win at Wolves in which Cole Palmer typically starred, they have not been convincing defensively and are yet to keep a clean sheet. That might need to change if the Blues want to leave Bournemouth with three points in the bag…
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Odds
Chelsea enter the match as slight favourites with odds of 2.04 for the win. But Bournemouth are by no means a write-off, trailing marginally with odds of 3.28 to upset the applecart.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Betting Tips
*Odds are correct at time of publication and subject to change
Bourne to be Wild
As previously discussed, strategically the game is set to be incredibly tense and the way the teams set up will undoubtedly have an effect on the result. Either way, we are expecting a tight affair, but the Blues’ strength and depth may just give them the edge. Both teams to score and Chelsea to win is at 2.88.
Stone Cole
While Chelsea’s new boys may be the focus of media attention, it is their existing stars we are backing to make the difference on Saturday night. Talisman Palmer is 2.29 to get on the scoresheet and Christopher Nkunku sits at 2.79.
Braziliant
After losing star striker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham in a £65 million transfer, Bournemouth have invested in another deadly marksman to take his place. Evanilson is 2.88 to score on his home debut for the Cherries.
Bournemouth Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Travers, Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Araujo, Christie, Cook, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson
Injuries: Unal, Adams
Doubts: Billing
Chelsea Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson
Injuries: James, Lavia, Kellyman
Doubts: Palmer, Gusto, Jorgensen
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