Bournemouth vs. Chelsea predictions: Time to regain control of the season

Chelsea don’t have much to live for in the Champions League, which means it’s all about a top four finish in the Premier League. A win at Bournemouth is far from assured given recent form and history.

Leicester City lost to bottom-place Norwich yesterday, which means Chelsea can close the gap to third with a win at Bournemouth. But dropping points to a team in or near the relegation zone seems to be Chelsea’s thing this season, and dropping points to Bournemouth has become a thing for every season.

Tan Yi Hao: Bournemouth 1 – 0 Chelsea. Bournemouth sit in 16th, just two points above the relegation zone and that alone should yield some level of confidence for Saturday’s clash at the Vitality Stadium. Yet Chelsea’s form has been so inconsistent this season that this game is by no means a forgone conclusion. Furthermore, considering injuries to Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham, among others, and accounting for the shock 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture, Bournemouth will not be push-overs.

That said, I’m backing Bournemouth to be the latest to pull yet another rabbit out of the hat against the Blues, lest I be left disappointed come full-time again.

Barrett Rouen: 0 – 2. The Blues will have spent this week chastened and embarrassed by the proper throttling that Bayern Munich gave them. Bournemouth aren’t in a good way at the moment and Frank Lampard is going to be forced to play some more senior players due to the injuries. This combines to create a professional and good performance.

Nate Hofmann: 2 – 2. There’s really nothing to suggest that this match will go any better than the reverse fixture back in December. This is a heavily injured Chelsea side coming off the back of being thoroughly dismantled by Bayern Munich less than a week ago. Meanwhile, Bournemouth will be playing with the rabid intensity of a team that is teetering on the brink of relegation. The scary thing is that, at least on paper, they’re too good to go down. There’s plenty of time for them to make a run up the table, and they’ll know Chelsea love to cede points to the minnows of the league.

Lampard’s side should be looking to restore at least a shred of their dignity, so they’ll at least give it a go, but Bournemouth look poised to end up the happier of the two after the final whistle.

Scott Brant: 1 – 2. I have no confidence in the defense to keep a clean sheet. But I do have confidence Chelsea score at least two against Bournemouth.

A Ruben Loftus-Cheek sighting would refreshing, especially with all the other injuries. Hopefully Olivier Giroud starts because he’ll definitely score, and maybe a well-deserved worldie for Mateo Kovacic, who has been the Blues’ best player for months.

Abhishek Pancholi: 0 – 3. The ego of several Chelsea players was dented by that embarrassing defeat to Bayern Munich. This game will be the perfect opportunity to bounce back. It won’t be easy, but they’ll get the job done.

Kevin Peacock: 0 – 4. Chelsea’s away form is as good – if not better – than at home. Bournemouth have been responsible for a couple of embarrassing defeats in recent seasons. Frank Lampard will be keen to avoid any such nonsense. Still stinging from the Bayern defeat, the reaction ought to be positive.

A good afternoon for Olivier Giroud will see him net two goals on the south coast with Mateo Kovacic further impressing with a goal. Mason Mount will wrap up a fine win with a late free-kick.

Varun Dani: 1 – 2. Chelsea Inconsistent Express has reached Bournemouth Bogey Town once again, this time in the direst of circumstances. With defeats and pressure building across different competitions, a win against the team that usually has their number could lift the spirit of Lampard’s men and get them recharged for the next run of difficult fixtures.

Also sighted: probable Ruben Loftus-Cheek return.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 0 – 2. Predicting Chelsea results lately has become a pain in the neck. Bournemouth has beaten them in every season for the past three seasons. They always seem to know their way around Chelsea. The Blues will want to react to the Bayern loss,  while Bournemouth will see the Bayern loss as even more proof that they can take points from Chelsea again.

Frank Lampard’s side has been creating chances, but have been careless with finishing. Maybe it’s time they changed that.