MATCH PREVIEW | AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea FC

Bournemouth are still searching for their first win of the Premier League season, but, with a floundering Chelsea side coming to the Vitality Stadium this Sunday, Bournemouth should be fancying their chances.

A 93rd-minute equaliser from Bryan Mbeumo denied Bournemouth their first win of the season against Brentford. Andoni Iraola has had a rough start to life as Bournemouth's manager he has had to face three of the current top four, West Ham, Liverpool and Tottenham. 

Despite only picking up two points so far this season the team are creating chances and just need to start converting them. Iraola has had the international break to train with a large part of the squad and returning players, such as David Brooks and Milos Kerkez having had strong performances for Wales and Hungary, will ensure they are fired up to be in contention to start against Chelsea. 

Chelsea have only two more points than Bournemouth but their issue has been finding their footing under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, their most recent game was a disappointing loss at home to Nottingham Forest. 

Head to head 

The head-to-head record does not make for good viewing from a Bournemouth perspective Chelsea has won in ten meetings between the sides, with Bournemouth just winning four times and the two sharing a draw just once. 

The last five league meetings between the teams have been closer than you would expect. Chelsea have won the last two meetings winning 3-1 at the Vitality and 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Then in February 2020, the two sides would share a 2-2 draw and Bournemouth were the victors at Stamford Bridge that season. Finally, in January 2019 Bournemouth annihilated Chelsea 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium. 

Team news

Coming into the game on Sunday, Bournemouth won’t have Tyler Adams or Ryan Fredricks who are both doubts due to injuries, Alex Scott is also ruled out until at least late October with a knee injury. 

Chelsea have a lot of players currently out injured, Wesley Fofana will not be back in action until early 2024, Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James are both out with hamstring injuries. Romeo Lavia is still yet to make his Chelsea debut and likely will not until late October. Christopher Nkunku and Carney Chukwuemeka are also both out for long periods, and Malang Sarr will be suspended. Despite all of these injuries, Chelsea will still have a large pool of top talent to pick from.

AFC Bournemouth League Form:

D L L D

Chelsea F.C. League Form:

D L W L

Match Prediction:

We predict that it will be a closely fought 90 minutes and Bournemouth will be desperate to get that first win of the league season in front of a packed-out Vitality Stadium. Andoni Iraolas' attacking style of play will give the Chelsea defence problems and Dominic Solanke will be looking to celebrate his new four-year deal with a goal. 

The Chelsea attack will be creating chances and the side does have a better goals-per-match record scoring on average 1.25 goals per match to Bournemouth’s 1.00. 

Our prediction:

Bournemouth 2-1 Chelsea