Points will be vital for AFC Bournemouth (who will be hosting Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium) in the Saturday's Premier League match. The Cherries currently occupy the nineteenth spot in the Premier League standings after emerging victorious in only two games so far. Despite the hosts' poor performance in this term, AFC Bournemouth heads to the match at the backdrop of registering two consecutive wins in different competitions. The Cherries got the maximum points in the league last weekend with a 1-2 victory over Stoke before eliminating Middlesbrough from the League Cup in midweek.
Chelsea is currently placed fourth in the English league standings after winning five games in the nine fixtures played so far. The Blues need to win the game but are aware that their victory cannot propel them to climb the ladder even if the teams ahead of them falter. Antonio Conte's men head into this fixture after recording back-to-back glory in two different competitions. After going three games without victory in all competitions, Chelsea bounced back last weekend with a dramatic comeback to beat Watford 4-2 after going down 1-2 at the break in a Premier League game played at Stamford Bridge. The Blues followed the weekend's success with yet another victory in midweek with a 2-1 triumph over Everton in Carabao Cup.
Talking points
- Both AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea won their last two fixtures in domestic fixtures after having tumultuous form in the preceding games. The Cherries beat Stoke City at Bet 365 Stadium and followed up the victory with a 3-1 win in Carabao Cup against Middlesbrough at Vitality Stadium. Chelsea beat Watford 4-2 in last weekend's Premier League match before bundling Everton out of Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
- Despite AFC Bournemouth poor form this season, the Cherries are unbeaten in the last four home matches in all competitions.
- The last four meetings between the two sides in Premier League have seen a winner emerge in each contest with Chelsea prevailing in three fixtures while AFC Bournemouth won the remaining fixture.
- Chelsea has beaten AFC Bournemouth in the last three Premier League games with the Blues scoring at least three goals on each occasion. In fact, Antonio Conte's side has been winning both at half-time and full-time against AFC Bournemouth in the last three Premier League encounters.
Team news
Eddie Howe side will still be missing key players as his team will be trying to remain unbeaten in five consecutive home matches in all competitions.
The fixture comes too early for Adam Federici, Jermaine Defoe, Adam Smith, and Tyrone Mings who are all sidelined with injuries. However, Adam Smith who missed last weekend 1-2 win over the Potters, returned in the midweek victory over the Boro and could be in contention against Chelsea at the weekend.
The Cherries injury woes continue with the club's last season top scorer, Joshua King doubtful to face the English reigning champions due to illness.
However, Eddie Howe will be glad after receiving Callum Wilson back to the fold with the English striker scoring the match winner in the midweek success in Carabao Cup.
Chelsea injury cases have reduced immensely with the club set to miss only N'golo Kante and Victor Moses through injuries. However, Danny Drinkwater made his Chelsea debut in the Blues success over Everton in League Cup since switching to the Londoners from Leicester City. With the trip to Italy to play against AS Roma in the Champions League looming, Antonio Conte is expected to rotate the squad and save some players for the European test.
Full-time Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 1-4 Chelsea.
