Will Chelsea Rebound Against Bournemouth? Match Preview and Predictions

Bournemouth and Chelsea face off at the Vitality Stadium, with both teams entering the match off contrasting performances.

Bournemouth rides the momentum of a stunning comeback victory against Everton (proof of why you should never leave the stadium in the last 5 minutes), while Chelsea looks to regain consistency after a historic 1-1 draw with their favourite victim, Crystal Palace.

Bournemouth’s Dramatic Comeback

Bournemouth’s last match was one of the Premier League’s early-season thrillers. After trailing 2-0 late in the game against Everton at Goodison Park, Bournemouth mounted a remarkable comeback to win 3-2.

Everton dominated much of the match, scoring twice through Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to take a comfortable 2-0 lead. However, Bournemouth refused to give up.

Antoine Semenyo sparked the revival in the 87th minute, reducing the deficit. Then, in stoppage time, Lewis Cook leveled the score, giving Bournemouth all the momentum. Moments later, Luis Sinisterra completed the dramatic comeback with a header in the 96th minute, sealing the win.

The victory lifted Bournemouth to the eight place in the Premier League standings, showing the fighting spirit that Andoni Iraola has instilled in his team. Bournemouth will carry this newfound confidence into their meeting with Chelsea, hoping to exploit the vulnerabilities Chelsea has shown in recent matches.

Chelsea’s Missed Opportunities

Chelsea, on the other hand, left their match against Crystal Palace frustrated, breaking a trend of 18 consecutive wins against their London rivals. Despite dominating the first half and creating numerous chances, they couldn’t secure the win, settling for a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea the lead with a clinical finish, but Eberechi Eze’s spectacular curling effort in the second half equalized for Palace.

Chelsea controlled the game for long stretches (which is the one thing that probably made Enzo Maresca happy after this game) and finished with a 2.27 expected goals (xG) tally compared to Palace’s 0.44, but their inability to convert chances left them just three points ahead of Palace in 11th place. Is this draw a sign of another season where Chelsea struggle with consistency? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Chelsea’s reliance on players like Jackson and Cole Palmer to create and finish chances has yet to pay off fully. Despite creating opportunities, they need to become more clinical if they hope to avoid further dropped points.

Stats to Watch Ahead of Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Here are some statistical highlights ahead of the game:

• Chelsea ranks second in the Premier League for goals scored with 7, surpassed only by Manchester City with 9 goals.
• Bournemouth leads the league in goalkeeper saves this season with 17 and has faced the most shots on target, with 21 against them.
• Chelsea boasts the highest shooting accuracy so far, with 48.6% of their shots on target.
• Cole Palmer leads the Premier League in assists with 4, while Noni Madueke has the most shots on target per 90 minutes, averaging 3.09.
• Chelsea haven’t lost in their last six games against Bournemouth, and five of those matches featured over 10.5 corners.

Key Players to Watch

Luis Sinisterra stands out as a key figure for Bournemouth. His late heroics against Everton, including the winning goal, show his ability to make an impact in crucial moments. Alongside him, Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert add dynamism and speed on the wings, making Bournemouth’s attack dangerous on the counter.

In midfield, Lewis Cook will play a vital role. His leadership and ability to break forward, as seen with his equalizing goal against Everton, will be crucial in disrupting Chelsea’s flow and providing support to Bournemouth’s attack.

For Chelsea, the spotlight is firmly on Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. Madueke, after his standout performance against Wolves, has struggled to maintain that form, generating an xG of 0.76 against Crystal Palace without finding the back of the net.

While Chelsea’s left wing looks settled with the pair, there are growing questions about the right one. Pedro Neto’s impact was minimal against Palace, and Mykhailo Mudryk’s slow start to the season raises further concerns. Enzo Maresca will need to address this imbalance quickly to get Chelsea firing on both flanks.

Tactical Battle: Bournemouth’s High Press vs Chelsea’s Possession Play

Bournemouth will likely try to press Chelsea aggressively from the start, using their high-energy approach to disrupt Chelsea’s possession-based style.

Iraola’s side demonstrated their pressing capabilities in the win against Everton, forcing defensive errors that led to goals. Bournemouth ranks third in the Premier League with 13 defensive actions in the attacking third, showcasing their ability to apply pressure high up the pitch.

They will aim to do the same against Chelsea’s backline, particularly targeting Levi Colwill and whoever Enzo Maresca selects at right-back, as Malo Gusto could miss the match due to a muscle problem. This intense pressing could create challenges for Chelsea, especially in those vulnerable areas.

Chelsea will aim to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Enzo Maresca prefers his side to build from the back, but Bournemouth’s pressing could make this difficult. Chelsea’s ability to break Bournemouth’s press and create space for their attacking players will be crucial. Defensively, Chelsea will need to stay organized and avoid the lapses that have cost them points in recent games.

What to Expect?

This matchup between Bournemouth and Chelsea is shaping up to be a tight, tactical battle. Bournemouth’s confidence will be sky-high after their stunning late comeback against Everton, and playing at home, they’ll feel they can exploit Chelsea’s inconsistency. Andoni Iraola’s side will likely look to press aggressively and hit Chelsea on the counter, capitalizing on any defensive lapses. It will be an important test for Enzo Maresca’s build up rotations.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will aim to control possession and dictate the pace of the game. However, their lack of cutting edge in front of goal remains a concern. Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson will need to step up, while Enzo Maresca must resolve the imbalance on Chelsea’s right side if they are to break down a resilient Bournemouth defense.