Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Match Preview | Premier League 2023/24 

Ashu Ranjeet
By Ashu Ranjeet
6 Min Read

Chelsea prepares to host AFC Bournemouth on the final matchday of the Premier League 2023–24 season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the in the late afternoon.

CHELSEA VS BOURNEMOUTH: MATCH PREVIEW

Bournemouth target highest-ever Premier League finish as Chelsea battle Europe

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Mauricio Pochettino-managed Chelsea can potentially finish the league endeavors by securing European qualification with a top-six finish. Four successive league victories have put them in a well-deserved position as they look to secure a fifth win in their final game of the season. Another home victory over mid-table visitors, along with Spurs’ loss against Sheffield United, will ensure them a fifth spot ahead of Spurs, Manchester United, and Newcastle and a chance to play in European competition next season.

Meanwhile, the Cherries, under Spanish gaffer Andoni Iraola, have also had a favorable season and will be aiming to finish the season among the top-half teams on the league table ahead of Brighton & Hove, with their best-ever points tally in the Premier League. Last year, they finished 15th following promotion from the second division, the EFL Championship, during the 2021/22 season. In their recent four Premier League outings, they have had two wins and as many defeats.

This clash between Chelsea, who are sitting sixth, and 11th-placed Bournemouth could be seen as a crucial one for both sides to achieve their respective objectives in the final fixture of the season. Both sides will seek to conclude the campaign on a high, as three points or even a single point could do the job depending on other results, as all the games will be played simultaneously.

When and where?

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Leigh Doughty.
VAR: Rob Jones.
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.

TEAM NEWS

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For the hosts, the list of injured absentees includes Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Robert Sanchez, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Enzo Fernandez, all of whom continue to sit in the treatment room. Reece James will miss the fixture due to facing a four-match ban following his red card in the game against Brighton & Hove.

Meanwhile, the guests have only a few names missing for the last away trip of the season. Ryan Fredericks and Luis Sinisterra are unavailable due to injuries, and Chris Mepham remains doubtful for the fixture. Romain Faivre is set to return from an ankle injury, and Milos Kerkez also returns after serving a three-match suspension for a straight red card against the Wolves.

PRE-MATCH ANALYSIS

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The Blues’ inspirational resurgence is on display under their Argentine manager. They have been unbeaten in their previous five league matches, with four wins and a single draw, collecting 13 points out of a possible 15. Most recently, Chelsea clinched a 2-1 away victory over Brighton. Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku were on the scoresheet for the Blues. And extended their success in the season’s final stretch for a continental spot.

The hosts will be favorites considering their superb form and record against Bournemouth, and Pochettinho is expected to go again with some combination for the last game. The only expected change could be in the front three, with the injury to Mykhaylo Mudryk giving Raheem Sterling a chance to display his quality as a starter after sitting in a bench role for a while now.

While the visitors have only managed five wins against Chelsea in their previous 20 Premier League meetings, under Andoni Iraola, they have shown their capability of upsetting big teams this season. They are coming off a frustrating 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford, where an added-time goal by Yoane Wissa canceled out Dominic Solanke’s late equalizer.

Iraola is expected to keep his first eleven intact and is unlikely to make any major changes; however, Neto could retain his position in goal, replacing Mark Travers. Despite the odds favoring the home side, Bournemouth will look to disrupt Chelsea’s momentum and avoid their third consecutive defeat at Stamford Bridge.

PREDICTED LINEUP

Chelsea’s predicted lineup vs. Bournemouth: Djordje Petrovic; Malo Gusto; Trevoh Chalobah; Benoit Badiashile; Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo; Conor Gallagher; Noni Madueke; Cole Palmer; Raheem Sterling; Nicolas Jackson

Bournemouth’s predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Neto; Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, Lloyd Kelly; Ryan Christie, Lewis Cook; Antonie Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouatarra; Dominic Solanke

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