The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Chelsea, who are looking to bounce back from a two-game winless streak as they prepare for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Chelsea managed just a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace two weekends ago, while Bournemouth staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in Premier League history against Everton.
While the Blues’ off-field moves have sparked more discussion than their performances on the pitch under new manager Enzo Maresca, with the transfer window now closed until January, Maresca can shift his full attention to football.
Chelsea appeared to be finding their rhythm with consecutive wins over Servette and Wolverhampton Wanderers, the latter a commanding 6-0 thrashing at Molineux. However, a disappointing and ultimately irrelevant second-leg loss to Servette in their Europa Conference League qualifier slowed that momentum.
Despite Maresca’s changes for the Crystal Palace game, Chelsea fans were left frustrated once again as Eberechi Eze’s brilliant goal canceled out Nicolas Jackson’s opener. With a mixed start to the 2024-25 season, including one win, one draw, and one loss, Chelsea find themselves in a familiar mid-table position, sitting 11th in the Premier League, just one point behind Bournemouth, who are in eighth place.
Chelsea's three-game winning streak away from home in the Premier League offers some hope for Saturday’s match. However, their shaky defense remains a concern, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 away games in the league, with their last shutout coming against Fulham in October 2023.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola is building a reputation for remarkable comebacks. In March 2023, the Cherries were 2-0 up at Arsenal before the Gunners pulled off a dramatic 3-2 win with a 97th-minute strike from Reiss Nelson.
But Bournemouth found themselves on the winning side of a similar turnaround at Goodison Park two weekends ago. With Everton leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo pulled one back late on.
Then, in injury time, Lewis Cook equalized with a header, and Luis Sinisterra completed the comeback with a stunning header, sending shocked Everton fans heading for the exits.
That incredible late victory set a Premier League record for the latest a team has ever come back from two goals down to win. Iraola’s team remains unbeaten in the league this season and sits eighth in the standings. However, Bournemouth has never gone unbeaten in their first four top-flight games before.
Additionally, the Cherries haven’t beaten Chelsea in the Premier League since December 2019, losing three of their five encounters since then. The last time the two teams met at the Vitality Stadium, they played out a gritty 0-0 draw almost exactly a year ago.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, might make his Chelsea debut this weekend after being unavailable for the Crystal Palace match due to his last-minute transfer on deadline day.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer, who had to pull out of the England squad with a thigh injury, has been spotted back in training, suggesting he’ll be fit to play. Romeo Lavia could also feature, though his availability is still uncertain.
Chelsea are facing several injury issues, though, with Reece James, Malo Gusto, Omari Kellyman (all thigh injuries), and Filip Jorgensen (unspecified) potentially missing the trip. Axel Disasi might have to step in as a temporary right-back.
As for Bournemouth, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who just secured the starting spot in goal, will miss the match due to the loan agreement with his parent club, Chelsea. With Neto now playing for Arsenal, Mark Travers is likely to take over between the posts.
The Cherries' injury list remains mostly unchanged, with Enes Unal (foot) and Tyler Adams (back) still out, while Philip Billing’s back issue could determine if he’ll be ready in time for the game.
After his standout performance, which has put him in the running for the Game Changer of the Season award, Luis Sinisterra is expected to earn a spot in the starting lineup, likely replacing either Evanilson or Marcus Tavernier.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Scott, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Sinisterra; Evanilson
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Disasi, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea
