Chelsea have won only one of their last four visits to Dean Court, and failure to pick up three points in Dorset this time would crank up the pressure on Enzo Maresca ever so slightly.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Preview
Will Chelsea's inconsistent start to the campaign continue? During their sole away game so far, there were signs that the Blues had it all figured out and, despite the chaos, a cohesive team had been built, as they smashed Wolves 6-2, with Noni Madueke the scorer of a 14 minute hat-trick during the Molineux massacre.
Instead, this was followed by a Conference League defeat to Servette, they still snuck through on aggregate, and a frustrating 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, taking the lead through Nicolas Jackson but still only picking up a point.
This season was always likely to be a slower burner for Enzo Maresca's team who so far, to quote Forrest Gump, have been like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get.
So can unbeaten Bournemouth, who kick off above their hosts, claim a famous win? Following 1-1 draws with both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, very unfortunate not to claim victory in the latter, Andoni Iraola's side pulled off a remarkable comeback last time out.
The Cherries were 2-0 down against Everton, having not mustered a shot on target all afternoon, only for Antoine Semenyo to cut the deficit in the 87th minute, before both Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra were on target in stoppage time to somehow snatch the points from at Goodison.
Dating back to mid-February, Bournemouth have lost only one of their last eight home league games, so this team are more than capable of springing a Saturday night surprise at Chelsea's expense.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 21
- Bournemouth Wins: 5. Draws: 2. Chelsea Wins: 14.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Last 5 Meetings
- 19 May 2024 - Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
- 17 September 2023 - Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea
- 6 May 2023 - Bournemouth 1-3 Chelsea
- 27 December 2022 - Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
- 29 February 2020 - Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea
Bournemouth Team News
Kepa Arrizabalaga made his Bournemouth debut during the win at Goodison, but is ineligible to face his parent club here, so Mark Travers will be donning the gloves, making only his 20th Premier League appearance, five and a half years on from his first.
Out-field meantime, Andoni Iraola could name an unchanged team, with Evanilson leading the line, hoping it is third time lucky as he seeks his first goal for the Cherries.
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Travers; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie, Tavernier, Semenyo, Kluivert; Evanilson.
Bournemouth Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Antoine Semenyo has been Bournemouth's danger man so far this season, scoring in both away games so far, looking to net at Dean Court for the first time since 13 March in this one.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea travel without captain Reece James, Malo Gusto and Roméo Lavia due to injury, but are hopeful that Cole Palmer will be ready to go, despite pulling out of the England squad. Due to limited right-back options, Axel Disasi is expected to fill-in there.
After arriving on deadline day, Jadon Sancho could debut although, if he does so, it's most-likely to be from the bench, given the abundance of attacking options at Enzo Maresca's disposal, namely Pedro Neto, the aforementioned Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku, João Félix and Noni Madueke, to name but a few.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth: (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill; Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Chelsea Players to Watch vs Bournemouth
Having not signed a top-class out-and-out centre-forward this summer, Nicolas Jackson will continue to lead the attack, seeking to stake a claim for that spot long-term.
The Senegalese striker has scored in back-to-back Premier League games, to add to his 17 goals last season, so will his impressive form continue?
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Prediction
Those tuning in on Saturday night should expect to enjoy an entertaining affair, in which we're cautiously predicting Chelsea will prevail.
As mentioned earlier, you never know what you're going to get from the Blues, so no one can confidently predict a scoreline, but we're forecasting that their abundance of high-level attackers will be simply too much for Bournemouth to handle: Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- USA: USA Network and Universo
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
How to watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Sky Go app
- USA: NBC.com, Fubo, and Sling TV.
- Canada: FuboTV, Peacock Premium
What is the date and kick-off time for Bournemouth vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Bournemouth vs Chelsea takes place on Saturday 14 September 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PDT).