Saturday sees Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth meet for the 16th time ever and ninth in the Premier League competition. The most interesting aspect of this series record? Not a single draw; ever. Bournemouth, the visitors on the weekend, trail in the series 11-4.
Thus, it’s pretty easy to see why the Cherries are heavy underdogs in this one. The Blues have better talent no doubt, but their biggest advantage in this match is depth. With the south coast club in the midst of a severe and now deepening injury crisis, the Londoners should not have any issues taking all three points from this one.
Eddie Howe really has work cut out for him, as Frank Lampard’s youthful rebuild is coming along nicely, and rapidly, for the most part. That all said, let’s take a look at who Lampard may select here, knowing he needs to take all three from this one, and keep the pressure on those chasing his side for the top four.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction (4-3-3) vs AFC Bournemouth
Pulisic Abraham Hudson-Odoi
Mount Kovacic Kante
James Rudiger Zouma Azpilicueta
Kepa
Chelsea FC vs AFC Bournemouth FYIs
team news for both sides: go to this link
Kickoff: Dec. 14, 3pm Stamford Bridge
Form Guide: Chelsea FC LWLLW AFC Bournemouth LLLLL
Referee: Graham Scott
Google’s result probability: 77% Chelsea FC win, 15% draw, 8% AFC Bournemouth victory
Prediction: Chelsea FC 3, AFC Bournemouth 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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