The Premier League is back, and the slate of Boxing Day fixtures includes a clash of two sides that have already sacked their manager this season, with Chelsea FC hosting AFC Bournemouth.
It’s also a match-up of two teams in really poor league form. Between the two of them, they only have one in combined in their last ten league fixtures. And it was Bournemouth, not Chelsea, who pulled it off.
Boxing Day Fixtures: Chelsea vs Bournemouth FYIs
Competition: Premier League regular season
Kickoff: Tue Dec 27, 5:30pm GMT, Stamford Bridge, London, UK
Chelsea win 73% Draw 17% Bournemouth win 10%
Chelsea Team News: go here
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Lots of selection problems for Blues boss Graham Potter in this one. Plenty of injured players, a few more who face late fitness tests. And a couple more who will miss out due to their national teams going on a very deep run in the World Cup.
With that all said, this is what we’re predicting for Potter’s first team. Of course, we’re picking Christian Pulisic, who had a great World Cup, even though in his mind it could have been better, and showed the world just how tough he is. He also showcased his leadership skills, for any potential new team that might want to sign him.
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction vs AFC Bournemouth
Mendy; Chalobah, T Silva, Cucurella; Jorginho, Gallagher, Mount; Pulisic, Sterling, Havertz; Aubameyang
Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 2, Chelsea FC 1
Calling the upset here, but it won’t be as shocking as you might think. These two sides are not that far apart, points wise, in the table.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.