PRE-MATCH REVIEW: Bournemouth vs Chelsea
13th January 2025 | By Ben Thomas
Bournemouth take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as the premier league returns after the FA cup.
CONTEXT:
Both teams come into this game of the back of dominant performances in the FA cup. Us having beaten West Bromwich Albion 5-1 at the Vitality and Chelsea beating league 2 side Morecambe 5-0.
Premier league form is very different. The Cherries are unbeaten in 8 whereas Chelsea’s initial run of form has dipped, they have won once in their last 5 premier league games.
Bournemouth haven’t won against Chelsea in our last 7 games, losing 4 and drawing 3.
Team News
Ryan Christie returns after having missed our last game due to illness.
Kepa is unavailable due to not being able to play against his parent club.
Our new signing Julio Soler is away on international duties for Argentina’s under 21’s.
Daniel Jebbison could also feature in his first game in the premier league for Bournemouth since his return from Watford after being on loan.
Maresca said Chelsea’s club captain Reece James is back and available along with Romio Lavia and Noni Madueke, he added that James and Lavia will be managed so it is unlikely that they start.
Chance of a victory
We are one of if not the most inform team in the premier league. Maresca said: “they are very tough, and they press with a real intensity.”
Our pressing and directness when attacking has enabled us to beat 4 of the big six this season already.
Chelsea’s main issue this season has been keeping clean sheets and giving away goals from mistakes at the back. This has led to them keeping 4 in 20 matches in the premier league.
Our pressing should highlight this weakness and in doing so create chances for us to score.
The big question is without a number nine will we have the fire power to score. However, Chelsea’s goals have dried up having only scored 2 in their last 4 premier league games.
For this reason, I think we will win 1-0 due to our strong defence and possibly some wasteful finishing from both teams. Our pace up top along with out pressure should enable us to create many chances which I’m sure we will score from.
Players and battles to watch
Dango Outtara could feature up top after starting on the weekend and scoring twice. His pace and trickery could cause the centre halves trouble.
Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s obvious threat, when he’s involved, he is always looking to play direct passes that cause the defence harm. When he’s not he creates space for others.
My match up to watch is Antoine Semenyo up against Marc Cucurella. Both players have been some of their teams best players. Whoever wins this dual could easily swing the tie in their teams favour, with the form Semenyo’s been in this season Cucurella’s in for a tough game!
