By Matt Cuckson-Williams Image Credit: James Marsh/Shutterstock
AFC Bournemouth face Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday Afternoon on the 6th May.
Chelsea come into this game on a bad run of form, having lost four of their last 5 matches, with only recently losing 3-1 against London Rivals Arsenal. So, Chelsea will be hoping to put things right come Saturday.
Bournemouth come into this game on a great run of form, having won four of their last five matches, if Bournemouth do win against Chelsea, they will be 42 points and over-take both Chelsea and Crystal Palace and move into 11th place.
Bournemouth and Chelsea have faced each other 11 times with Bournemouth winning 4 times and Chelsea winning 6 times and their being 1 draw between the two of them. The most recent meeting between the pair was at Stamford Bridge on the 27th December 2022 where Chelsea won 2-0, thanks to goals from both Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.
In Bournemouth’s recent match where the beat Leeds United 4-1 thanks to goals to a brace from Jefferson Lerma, a goal from Dominic Solanke and a goal from Antoine Semenyo (his first league goal in a Bournemouth Shirt). Jefferson Lerma was a standout player for the Cherries and he needs to be a player that Chelsea keeps an eye on as he has a great eye for a pass to break the defensive lines that play against Bournemouth.
In Chelsea’s most recent match where they lost 3-1 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, the only two standout performers were Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk. For this match against Bournemouth, Chelsea need to start both Madueke and Mudryk as they could use their pace and skills to get swiftly past the Bournemouth press and defence. In Frank Lampard Post-Match Press Conference, he did confirm to the media that Madueke will play more in the upcoming matches.
Possible Line-Up for Bournemouth:
4-2-3-1 – Neto, A Smith, Senesi, Kelly, Vina, Rothwell, Lerma, Ouattara, Billing, Christie, Solanke.
For the match coming up against Chelsea, the Bournemouth Team could stay the exact same as it was when they played against Leeds United as they may not want to make any changes to the winning side last Sunday.
Possible Line-up for Chelsea:
4-3-3 – Mendy, Azpilicueta, Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Kante, Fernandez, Gallagher/Chukwuemeka, Madueke, Havertz/Datro Fofana, Mudryk.
The Chelsea Team could have some changes in it from the team that started against Arsenal on Tuesday evening. Some of the changes that Frank Lampard may make are:
1st Change – Edouard Mendy could come into the side instead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
2nd Change – Conor Gallagher or Carney Chukwuemeka could come into the side instead of Mateo Kovacic.
3rd Change – David Datro Fofana or Kai Havertz could come into the side instead of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
4th Change – Mykhailo Mudryk could come into the side instead of Raheem Sterling.
Prediction:
For this match between Chelsea vs Bournemouth, it could be great for both teams to earn important points coming into the last weeks of the season. Prediction: 1-1 draw.
