Bournemouth vs Chelsea predictions: Cherries to hurt Blues again![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth have taken some early positives with points against West Ham and Brentford](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/16092023/92f25c02-3a46-4239-b7de-458456316a52.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- Chelsea have won just two of their last 16 Premier League games
- The Blues have lost five of their last six away games in the league
- Recommended bet: Bournemouth or tie double chance
Chelsea return to Premier League action against a Bournemouth side who have haunted them in recent years.
The Blues have suffered four Premier League defeats against Sunday's opponents, making them one of the Cherries’ favourite opponents.
With Mauricio Pochettino’s side struggling at the start of this season, the Blues could slip up once again on the south coast.
Team news
Chelsea’s injury list continues to grow, with Romeo Lavia joining it during the international break.
Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka are long-term absentees.
Reece James and Benoit Badiashile are also doubts to feature in defence on Sunday.
As for Bournemouth, they could hand a debut to Luis Sinisterra following his loan move from Leeds.
He could support former Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke, who should have a point to prove.
The stats
![Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea have made a slow start to the Premier League season and have only registered one win so far](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/16092023/0da31726-5470-4826-b219-0519c6cec6ff.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Only Leicester and Everton (5) have lost more Premier League games to Bournemouth than Chelsea (4).
Mauricio Pochettino has not won any of his last 13 away Premier League games for Chelsea or Tottenham.
Only Brighton (13) have created more opportunities after winning the ball high up the pitch than Bournemouth (9).
The Blues have only beaten Luton and AFC Wimbledon since Pochettino took charge.
Nicolas Jackson has converted just one of his seven big chances in the league this season.
The Cherries have scored twice in each of their last two games.
Prediction
It is hard to know exactly what Pochettino’s approach is at Chelsea, with his preseason plans scuppered by Nkunku’s injury.
The Blues have looked blunt and ponderous with the ball so far, while they have managed to keep just one clean sheet in five games.
While they have invested heavily in their squad, they continue to have issues with pressure being put on their holding midfielders.
Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, have had a lot of joy from high turnovers, recovering the ball high up the pitch to create openings.
That could be an issue for Pochettino’s odd 3-5-2/4-2-3-1 hybrid system.
The new Chelsea boss has not won in his previous 13 Premier League trips, while his new side have managed to win twice across their last 16 league games.
The visitors are struggling for goals with Nicolas Jackson scoring just once despite posting an Expected Goals tally of 3.03.
Meanwhile, the Blues take on a Bournemouth side who have impressed in terms of xG, creating good chances against sides like West Ham and Brentford.
The Blues look a little raw right now and it is clear that Pochettino is not quite getting the best out of them yet.
With that in mind, Bournemouth have scored twice in each of their last two games and a repeat of that should guarantee a result against this blunt Chelsea outfit.
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