Chelsea’s first opportunity to put their disappointing Premier League start behind them comes when they host a Bournemouth side they’ve performed well against lately.
Match News and Current Form
The appointment of Xabi Alonso and another summer of big spending hasn’t been enough to change Chelsea’s fortunes so far, as a 3-0 loss to Brentford sent them into the international break in tenth spot. It’s the Blues’ defensive woes that have limited their progress so far, conceding a league-high 12 goals as they now look to avoid becoming just the third team in competition history to concede 2+ goals in all six of their opening matches of a campaign. A return to Stamford Bridge could bolster their chances of returning to winning ways here at least, as they remain unbeaten across their four competitive matches at this venue this term (W3, D1) while netting 14 times in the process.
Still winless after their opening five Premier League matches of this season (D3, L2), despite taking the lead in four of those games, Bournemouth’s current plight is worse than their hosts’ at present. With the added distraction of European football this term, boss Marco Rose will hope for a similar upturn in fortunes to the only other time they’ve gone winless through their opening five matches of the season, when Andoni Iraola steered them to a 12th-placed finish in 2023/24. Winning 20 Premier League away points in 2026 (W5, D5, L1) bodes well as they bid to get their first win of the campaign, as does the fact the Cherries have lost just one of their last 13 league matches played in the capital (W4, D8).
Head-to-Head History
Chelsea are unbeaten across their last nine Premier League H2Hs against Bournemouth (W4, D5), with each of the last three ending level.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Chelsea’s Premier League matches have averaged a pre-round league-high 4.4 goals per game.
Chelsea collected 3+ yellow cards in six of their last nine league outings.
Six of Bournemouth’s last seven Premier League games saw both teams score.
None of Bournemouth’s last six away Premier League matches saw them win over three corners.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Morgan Rogers struck in his last H2H, which was one of the four openers he’s hit across his last six Premier League goalscoring appearances. Something of an away day specialist, seven of Marcus Tavernier's last eight Bournemouth goals have come on the road, but another may not be a positive omen given he’s only won one of his last nine scoring appearances (D6, L2).
Chelsea could be without Reece James, Cole Palmer and João Pedro here, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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Betting Analysis
With Chelsea both scoring and conceding goals for fun, backing them to win and both teams to score here could make sense.
Author: Nathan Evans
