Blues aim to reignite top-four push against struggling Cherries.
Chelsea F.C. vs. AFC Bournemouth begins at 19:30 [GMT] on Tuesday, December 30, at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Premier League momentum has stalled [LDWDL] as the year draws to a close, with Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa leaving them with just one win from their last six league outings [1W, 3D, 2L]. Enzo Maresca, who was absent from the touchline due to suspension, watched his side surrender a first-half lead once again, a familiar issue that has seen the Blues slip to fifth spot in the table with 29 points [8W, 5D, 5L], three adrift of the Champions League places. A response at Stamford Bridge will be expected, particularly as the Blues had been unbeaten in four competitive home matches prior to that Villa loss [3W, 1D, 0L]. Their record against Bournemouth on home soil has also improved in recent seasons. After losing three of their first five league home games against the Cherries, Chelsea are now unbeaten in the last three such encounters [2W, 1D, 0L] and have scored exactly twice in each of the last three meetings hosted here. London are also unbeaten in the last eight Premier League H2Hs overall [4W, 4D, 0L], with Bournemouth failing to beat the Blues since 2019. Maresca will, however, have to cope without several key players, as Roméo Lavia, Levi Colwill and Liam Delap remain sidelined through injury. João Pedro is expected to start upfront when a 4—2—3—1 formation is deployed.
Bournemouth’s situation is arguably more concerning [LDDDL], as their 4-1 defeat at Brentford last weekend extended their winless league run to nine matches [0W, 4D, 5L]. That slump has extinguished early-season European aspirations and raised fears of a potential relegation scrap, even if they still start the round nine points clear of the drop zone in 15th place with 22 points [5W, 7D, 6L]. Defensive frailties away from home have been particularly damaging for Andoni Iraola’s side. The Cherries have conceded at least three goals in each of their last six league away matches and have not won on the road since their surprise victory at Tottenham back in August [0W, 3D, 4L]. They have won their final league game in just one of the last seven calendar years [1W, 1D, 5L], beating Cardiff City 3-0 in December 2021. Bournemouth could also be stretched by injuries, with Alex Scott a doubt after suffering a head injury against Brentford, while Tyler Adams and Ben Doak remain long-term absentees. Iraola is expected to employ a 4—2—3—1 formation with Evanilson leading the attacking line.