AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea square off in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night.
The Cherries signed off for the international break in dramatic fashion after scoring three times after the 87th minute to claim an extraordinary 3-2 win over Everton at Goodison Park, bringing up by player-based bet along the way.
Those heroics also mean Andoni Iraola’s side have yet to taste defeat in the top-flight this term, having previously drawn with both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle before bagging their maiden win of the campaign.
Bournemouth will now turn their attention to extending their unbeaten run to four games when they lock horns with Chelsea under the south coast lights.
The Blues have made a mixed start to the season, with a win, a draw and a defeat to show for their efforts across the opening three weeks of the Premier League season, most recently being held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace.
Enzo Maresca’s men also made heavy weather of their Europa Conference League play-off tie with Swiss side Servette, stumbling through thanks to a 3-2 aggregate success.
How the bookies view it: Chelsea to chop through the Cherries
Despite their unbeaten start to the season, Bournemouth go into this game as 13/5 (Bet 365) outsiders while a share of the Vitality Stadium spoils is an unfancied 3/1 (UniBet).
Chelsea, whose solitary win in the Premier League this season so far came away from home, are 21/20 favourites with William Hill.
Head to head: History against the hosts
Bournemouth have failed to get the better of Chelsea in each of their last five attempts, losing on three occasions across that sample. That being said, two of the last three meetings between the pair at this venue have ended all square.
Players to watch: Palmer to provide again?
Cole Palmer has one goal and four assists to his name across his three Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season so far. As such, the Blues talisman stands out here in the to score or assist market at 5/6 (PaddyPower).
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has made a quietly impressive start to the season, scoring twice and setting up another. He is 7/5 (Bet 365) to register another goal involvement on Saturday night.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga is ineligible to play against his parent club, so Mark Travers is expected to come back into the Bournemouth side.
Cole Palmer withdrew from England's squad ahead of their opening two Nations League games but he is expected to be available for selection on Saturday night.
Bournemouth: Travers; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Pedro Neto; Jackson
Anything else catch the eye?
Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook has been one of the Premier League‘s biggest offenders in terms of fouls committed across the opening three weeks of the season, making him an appealing option for two or more fouls here at 6/4 on Bet 365.
The Cherries midfielder has fallen foul of the referee nine times already this term, giving away a minimum of two free kicks in each of his three appearances thus far.
In fact, Cook committed no fewer than five fouls during Bournemouth's last home game with Newcastle, making just two misdemeanours against the Blues on Saturday worthy of support at 6/4 (Bet 365).
This English Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea will be played on Sep 14, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
