After a colossal 2-1 victory at home over title challenging rivals Manchester City last Wednesday, Chelsea travel to Dean Court facing Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, who are currently on a fine five-game unbeaten run.
The Blues won the Cherries comfortably 3-0 in the reverse fixture between the two sides, as Pedro’s brace and a penalty goal from Eden Hazard left the visitors beaten to the ground.
Training done. Now the Blues are off to Bournemouth! 🤙 pic.twitter.com/1LlEGkxFUl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 7, 2017
However, tomorrow’s game isn’t expected to be any walk in the park type of a game, and the Blues have to be fully aware of their opponent. In the end, they’ve avoided defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United as well inside their previous five games.
Chelsea need six more victories from the upcoming nine Premier League games to mathematically secure the title, and hopefully after tomorrow it’ll be five left to win.
Match Details
Kick-off at 05.30 UK Time at Stamford Bridge. TV broadcast live from BT Sport 1.
Injury News
According to Antonio Conte in today’s press conference, Victor Moses returns to first-team action after missing the two previous games due to a toe injury, and there’s no other Blues players set to miss the game.
In Saturday’s win over Man City Diego Costa appeared to kick Vincent Kompany in a slightly wrong way, linking the striker to a possible three-match ban. However, there’s no word from the FA yet.
And what comes to Bournemouth – well – their situation isn’t as safe as Chelsea’s it seems. According to Injury Table, Bournemouth will be without Callum Wilson, Adam Federici and Andrew Surman, with Junior Stanislas and Dan Gosling also facing late fitness tests before the game.
One to watch
Joshua King – The young Norwegian attacking midfielder has turned up with some style recently, scoring eight goals in the Cherries’ last eight Premier League games.
His scintillating pace and composure in front of the goal makes him the most dangerous player in Eddie Howe’s team by a mile, and the Blues defence will have to be well aware of his abilities.
Recent league form
Bournemouth: D D W W D (Goals for: 8 Goals against: 5)
Chelsea : W L W W W (Goals for: 10 Goals against: 6)
Previous meetings
Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth (Pedro, Hazard, Cook OG) – December 2016, Premier League
Bournemouth 1-4 Chelsea (Elphick; Pedro, Hazard x2, Willian) – April 2016, Premier League
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth (Murray) – December 2015, Premier League
Match Prediction
Chelsea bounced back from their Crystal Palace upset with some style on Wednesday, and with the City triumph behind us the confidence is flowing and we could be looking at a solid 1-2 victory tomorrow eve with goals from Hazard and Pedro (again) to reward us the big three points.
