Bournemouth vs Chelsea predictions: Unbeaten Cherries can carry on good start
- Bournemouth have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League
- Chelsea won 6-2 at Wolves in their last league away game
- Recommended bet: Bournemouth Draw No Bet
Bournemouth have a poor recent record against Chelsea but hope their great escape at Everton last time out can inspire them to beat Enzo Maresca's Blues on Saturday night.
The unbeaten Cherries were staring down the barrel of a 2-0 loss at Goodison Park before three late goals stunned the Toffees.
Chelsea, who have not lost any of their last five clashes with Bournemouth, are desperate to show some consistency after a mixed start to their campaign.
Team news
Bournemouth's new keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cannot play against parent club Chelsea meaning Mark Travers will wear the Cherries' gloves.
Spain Under-21 defender Dean Huijsen is pushing for a start while Alex Scott is pressing Ryan Christie for a midfield berth alongside Lewis Cook.
Tyler Adams and Enes Unal remain sidelined while Luis Sinisterra's game-changing cameo at Everton could get him a start.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has a call to make at right-back with Reece James and Malo Gusto out. Moises Caicedo could get the nod with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall set to replace the Ecuador international alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
Cole Palmer is expected to be fit after missing the England games and Jadon Sancho is in line for a debut.
The stats
Bournemouth are unbeaten in three matches this season but four of their five goals scored have come in the 86th minute or later.
The Cherries have lost only one of their last eight Premier League games at the Vitality Stadium.
In five games in all competitions, Chelsea have won two, lost two and drew 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace last time out.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last five Premier League tussles with Bournemouth, winning three times.
Prediction
Bournemouth were one of the stories of last season's Premier League, rising from rock bottom to 12th under their excellent manager Andoni Iraola.
Their efforts over the final three-quarters of 2023-24 were no flash in the pan so it follows they will be no pushovers this season either.
And at home, against a Chelsea side crying out for consistency and spirit, the Cherries look massively overpriced.
New Blues' boss Enzo Maresca may have an idea of what his first team should look like but an insane summer turnover of staff, injuries, up-and-down form and a near-empty training ground during the international break, will not have helped his case.
Chelsea have a solid enough record against Bournemouth but this Cherries' squad is the best yet assembled in the top division and they pose a threat to go with their self-belief, best seen in fightbacks at Nottingham Forest and Everton to earn a 1-1 draw and 3-2 win respectively.
Team spirit to go with quality against a Chelsea group yet to find consistency means the Bournemouth Draw No Bet options looks attractive.
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