Chelsea predictions vs. B’mouth: Gonzalo Higuain show and everyone’s invited

Alvaro Morata scored on his Chelsea debut. Krzysztof Piatek scored a brace on his first start for AC Milan. All eyes are on Gonzalo Higuain making his Premier League bow against Bournemouth.

Chelsea have a bit more pull in the Premier League top-six race than they did yesterday. With Manchester City losing and Manchester United drawing, the Blues’ upcoming run gives them a say in the title race and puts them further in control of their own destiny for next season’s Champions League. Here are our predictions for the first step, away to Bournemouth.

Scott Brant: Bournemouth 1 – 2 Chelsea. Chelsea need points, all the points possible. With Manchester City looming in the Carabao Cup Final and Manchester United in the next round of the FA Cup, finishing top four is still my priority. It’s already hard enough to lure players to Chelsea. Come summer, the club need to be able to use the Champions League as part of the pitch. So yes, a match midweek versus Bournemouth is very important. Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain to score, Callum Wilson for the other side.

Barrett Rouen: 1 – 2. Bournemouth are a good side and Eddie Howe is an excellent manager.  Interesting that he went to Napoli to study under Maurizio Sarri and they’re good friends. They’ll reduce one another into a boring stalemate while we watch Nathan Ake show just how excellent a young Chelsea player can be. In the end slightly better quality and a goal from Higuain wins out.

Abhishek Pancholi: 1 – 3. It’s the Gonzalo Higuain show and everyone’s invited. The Argentina striker will make his Premier League debut and grab the opener in an end-to-end contest. Then he’ll score another one before being taken off in the 80′.

Olivier Giroud will take his place, try one of his usual acrobatics and inadvertently set one up for Antonio Rudiger to poke in from close range. There will still be time for Nathan Ake to head home a 92′ consolation goal and ruin Kepa Arrizabalaga’s night.

Kevin Peacock: 0 – 2. Chelsea’s last league game was uninspiring. Let’s hope Sarri’s tongue-lashing has the desired effect in the Premier League, as it seemed to work in the cups. Of course, the big question – the only question – will be if Gonzalo Higuain opens his goal-scoring account. His reluctance to take the penalty against Sheffield Wednesday when Willian offered it was ominous.

However, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’ll score one and Eden Hazard the other in a comfortably uncomfortable win.

Gabe Henderson: 1 – 2. The Blues have found themselves in some hard-fought bouts lately. This match is no different. Bournemouth away is never an easy fixture, especially when the Cherries have had 10 days to rest. Not to mention, Eddie Howe is a master tactician. Regardless, Chelsea is fully healthy and coming off two important cup wins.

Expect this to be a tough match, but the Blues will prevail in the closing stages with a big goal from an unlikely hero.