Chelsea FC are currently second in the ESPN FC global power rankings. Winners of 11 in a row, they’ll next take on a mid-table side, 10th place AFC Bournemouth, meaning the Blues will be big favorites for this one. The Blues will be missing some key cogs in this fixture.
Both Diego Costa and N’Golo Kanté are suspended for one match, so the Blues must press on without two of their most important players. The Blues will be without both their top scorer, and the summer transfer window acquisition who is a key cog to making them go.
Match odds via OddsChecker:
Chelsea 4/9 Draw 4/1 AFC Bournemouth 43/5
Defender John Terry is out with a gluteal strain; he could be returning after the new year. Belgian superstar Eden Hazard is a doubt due to a minor knee problem. Former Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho made some rather unintentionally hilarious comments this week about his former club. His prose was dripping in irony as he said his current Man United team has no chance of catching Chelsea.
The reason why? The Blues park the bus.
Prediction: Chelsea FC 1, AFC Bournemouth 0
As always, here’s the link to our Chelsea starting XI prediction.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.
