Once again Chelsea will play a midweek fixture as they play host to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. The Blues have played at least twice a week since the last international break back in November – that’s a lot of games. But, this week is the last in terms of midweek fixtures with Antonio Conte’s men playing on Monday night for the next couple of weeks, they get Tuesday and Wednesday off next week. This week it’s business as usual as the struggling Cherries come to town in the Premier League.
Team News
Thibaut Courtois and Cesc Fabregas have been declared fit enough to play by Antonio Conte having both recovered from injuries they suffered in the build-up to the Brighton game. However, Alvaro Morata (back), David Luiz and Willian (both ankle) will miss out but, despite speculation over a move away, Michy Batshuayi will be available.
Josh King and Junior Stanislas return for the visitors while Jermain Defoe remains sidelined with a fractured ankle and Tyrone Mings is out with a back injury. Former Blues, Asmir Begovic and Nathan Ake, are both expected to feature after leaving for the South Coast last summer.
Probable Chelsea XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Batshuayi, Alonso; Pedro, Barkley, Hazard.
Probable Bournemouth XI: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, Surman, Gosling, Arter, Ibe; Wilson.
Key Battles
No matter what Conte says, I highly doubt Michy Batshuayi will be in the right frame of mind to start for the club who he may leave the same evening so it’ll probably be a front 3 of Hazard, Pedro and Barkley. Ross Barkley will want to drop in between the lines so the likes of Dan Gosling and Andrew Surman will have to be well aware of that.
Andreas Christensen hasn’t been troubled by many strikers since he became part of Chelsea’s back 3 but Callum Wilson will provide a stern test for the youngster. The Englishman has contributed to 3 of Bournemouth’s last 4 goals (2 goals and 1 assist) and is pushing for a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
N’Golo Kante will play against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge for the first time having missed the last two encounters and the Frenchman will have to be at his best because he and Tiemoue Bakayoko will likely be outnumbered in midfield by a Bournemouth midfield three.
Chelsea’s record vs Bournemouth
Eddie Howe’s men caused an almighty upset at the home of the Champions in 2015 and compiled the misery on Jose Mourinho with a 1-0 win. Glenn Murray’s winner plunged Chelsea towards the bottom of the Premier League table in December and Mourinho was gone in a matter of weeks.
These two met just a few weeks ago in the Carabao Cup semi-final when Dan Gosling’s last-minute equaliser looked to have forced the Blues into extra time but Alvaro Morata popped up with the winner just a few seconds after to send his side through.
Eddie Howe has never taken a point off Antonio Conte since the Italian was appointed Chelsea manager in the summer of 2016. They’ve played four and Conte has won all four with the Blues averaging at least two goals a game in that time.
Antonio Conte’s focus may drift slightly during the game because it will also be during the remaining hours of the January transfer window and the Italian has his eye on one or two potential targets that could go down to the wire. On the pitch, his team will have to deal with former purchases and make sure, come that full time whistle, they’re well in the market for a top 4 spot.
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