Chelsea will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they do battle with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
The Blues’ top-flight title hopes have been left in tatters following a four-game winless run either side of Christmas.
Amassing just two points from the last 12 on offer has seen Enzo Maresca’s men drop down to fourth place in the table, 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea did stop the rot with a 5-0 rout of Morecambe in the FA Cup on Saturday but they can expect a much tougher test when Bournemouth come to town.
The Cherries are just three places and three points behind the Blues after kicking off the new year with a 1-0 win over Everton, in a game that brought up all three of my selections.
Andoni Iraola’s side have since thrashed West Brom 5-1 in the FA Cup, so they will arrive in the capital in high spirits.
How the bookies view it: Blues to get back on track
Despite failing to win each of their last four Premier League games, Chelsea head into this clash as firm 6/10 favourites with Boylesports.
Bournemouth are as big as 7/2 on Boylesports to bank all three points at Stamford Bridge, while a point apiece has been priced up at 16/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: History favours the hosts
Chelsea have avoided defeat in each of their last six Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, claiming top honours from four of those contests. The Blues struck late on to win the reverse fixture earlier this season 1-0 – the same scoreline on Tuesday night can be backed at 9/1 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Another goal for Cole?
Cole Palmer has scored in two of his last three Premier League outings for Chelsea, taking his overall tally in the top-flight this term to 13 in the process. Thus, the Chelsea talisman warrants support to score here at 11/10 (Bet 365) against a Bournemouth side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine of their 10 league games away from home this season.
No Bournemouth player has scored more goals than Justin Kluivert (6) in the Premier League this season. The Cherries ace is 15/4 on Boylesports to make the net bulge at Stamford Bridge this midweek.
Predicted line-ups
Blues boss Maresca fielded a second string in the FA Cup on Saturday but he is expected to revert back to his strongest starting XI on Tuesday night, though he will be without injured defensive duo Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana
Bournemouth are carrying a heavy injury list at the moment ,with Enes Unal and Evanilson the latest two players to check into the Cherries treatment room. With Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga ineligible to play against his parent club, Mark Travers is expected to come into the Bournemouth team on Tuesday night.
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Bournemouth: Travers; Hill, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Brooks, Kluivert, Ouattara
Anything else catch the eye?
Ryan Christie catches the eye commit two or more fouls during this contest at even-money (1/1) on PaddyPower.
The Scotland international was guilty of exactly two offences during each of the Cherries’ four Premier League fixtures over the festive period, picking up his sixth yellow card of the season in the Premier League along the way.
Christie is likely to cross paths with the aforementioned Palmer on Tuesday night, who is drawing a team-high average of 2.05 fouls per-game in the top-flight this term.
This English Premier League match between Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth will be played on Jan 14, 2025 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Chelsea vs AFC Bournemouth prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
