Chelsea vs Bournemouth predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Chelsea are looking to end a rotten run of four matches without a win as they take on a dangerous Bournemouth team at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The Blues looked like the strongest challengers to Liverpool in the title race last month but some poor recent form has left them trailing the Reds by 10 points. And it won’t get any easier as they take on a Bournemouth side who have impressed this season under manager Andoni Iraola.

The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 3, with kick-off at 7:30pm.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth predicted lineups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Travers; Hill, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Ouattara

Chelsea vs Bournemouth team news

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca welcomed back Reece James for the 5-0 cup win over Morecambe this weekend but insisted he will be eased back slowly following his multiple injury problems in the past. So Malo Gusto should continue at right-back.

Noni Madueke has been suffering with illness and missed the FA Cup game, but is available for this one, as is Romeo Lavia. Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Omari Kellyman remain long-term absentees. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable due to suspension.

Maresca has a decision to make in defence after starting Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo against Morecambe. While Josh Acheampong impressed in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, Adarabioyo might have earnt the right to play against the Cherries after his FA Cup brace.

As for Bournemouth, they have a string of injury concerns. Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith and Luis Sinisterra remain out until later on in the month, with this game coming too soon for them.

Forward Enes Unal, meanwhile, requires surgery following a knee injury and will be out for a lengthy spell. It’s a huge blow for Iraola given that he has already lost first choice striker Evanilson, who also went under the knife following a broken foot.

That means Dango Ouattara could keep his place as the lone striker, as he did in the Cherries’ 5-1 FA Cup win over West Brom, which saw him score twice.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is also ineligible to face his parent club, meaning Mark Travers will start in goal.

Chelsea’s worrying goal record

The Blues’ poor run of results has coincided with a worrying lack of clinical edge in front of goal — with just two goals coming from their last four league games.

Of course, that was ended by a thumping 5-0 win over Morecambe, but you’d expect a Premier League team like Chelsea to put a few past a League Two team.

Chelsea looked in a confident mood at the start of January, scoring 22 goals between 1st December and 19th December in all competitions. But some disappointing results saw them draw 0-0 with struggling Everton, lose 1-2 at home to Fulham, then suffer a shock 2-0 loss at relegation candidates Ipswich Town before another disappointing 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

This run has also seen Cole Palmer’s form slide. The Englishman has only scored twice in his last five matches, having netted four and assisted one in the previous five.

Chelsea’s worrying dip in form comes at a bad time given the impressive season Bournemouth are having. They’re seventh in the Premier League and a win would take them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. The Cherries really can dream of an incredible end to the season, with European football a real possibility.

Bournemouth have already taken a number of scalps this season after beating Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City and they’ll be confident of adding Chelsea to that list.