The team from “Vitality” scored 56 points last season and, by tie-breakers, edged Brentford for ninth place. As a result, they sold a number of players for a good price in the summer, primarily defenders. Nevertheless, they started this season quite successfully, although they began to lose ground in November, including a loss to Everton this week.
Last summer, Maresca took over at “Stamford Bridge.” In his first season, he managed to lift his new side to fourth in the Premier League and won both the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup in succession. The ambitions remain high this season.
The players are striving not to fall too far behind neighboring Arsenal. They finished November with a match against their neighbor and, even after an early Caicedo red card, managed a 1-1 draw. However, against Leeds this week, they unexpectedly lost 1-3. In the Champions League, the start was generally good, even though they began with a 1-3 defeat to Bayern. Barcelona was even beaten 3-0.
Andoni Iraola’s team scores on average 1.5 goals per game, conceding slightly more — 1.71. João Pedro and company have much better numbers: an average of 1.79 goals scored and 1.07 conceded.
Bournemouth have lost four of their last five matches
57% of Bournemouth’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 3.21
Chelsea have won nine of their last thirteen matches
57% of Chelsea’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 2.86.
Bournemouth (probable lineup): Petrovic – Truffer, Senesi, Diakite, Cook – Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Krupi, Brooks – Evanilson.
Chelsea (probable lineup): Sanchez – Cucurella, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, James – Santos, Fernandez, Gittens, João Pedro, Neto – Delap.
In the last six head-to-head matches, the London club has won four times and there have been two draws.
