Chelsea vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Stamford BridgeAttendance41,631.
Saturday 5 December 2015 22:02, UK
Chelsea aim to continue their recent upturn in form when they play host to Bournemouth on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm.
Jose Mourinho's side are unbeaten in their last three games, winning twice, leading to suggestions that the reigning Premier League champions may finally be getting their season back on track.
Bournemouth have also shown signs they could be finding form with a 2-2 draw against Swansea ending a run of five consecutive defeats before producing a stunning comeback to draw 3-3 with Everton.
A win for the Cherries could lift them out of the relegation places and take them to within two points of Chelsea while a fourth home league win for the Blues could see them climb to to 13th.
Team news
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is in contention to return following a three-month absence.
Courtois could displace Asmir Begovic after recovering from his knee injury, while striker Diego Costa could also return after being unhappy at not featuring at Tottenham last Sunday.
Mourinho had hoped to have captain John Terry, Ramires and Radamel Falcao available, but the trio remain out.
Bournemouth's Artur Boruc is troubled by a groin injury, while Adam Federici has an ankle problem and Howe is keeping his cards close to his chest on the fitness of the pair.
The Cherries currently have 10 players on the injured list and although Marc Pugh (Achilles) has started running again, he remains short of match fitness. Harry Arter (hamstring) is unavailable for selection.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won their last three competitive meetings with Bournemouth without conceding a goal, but the Cherries have won on four of their last five league trips to London.
Bournemouth have used 14 English players in the Premier League this season; more than any other club.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 43 home league games against newly-promoted teams (W37 D6), last losing to top-flight new-boys in April 2001 (0-1 v Charlton).
Dan Gosling ranks both one and two in terms of most distance covered in a single Premier League game this season (13.9km vs Everton and 13.8km vs Sunderland).
Eden Hazard is one goal away from hitting 50 for Chelsea in all competitions, but he is without a goal in his last 24 games for the Blues (in all competitions).
Ten of Bournemouth's 17 Premier League goals this season have come within the first 30 minutes of their games, a league-high tally.
Merson's predictions
Diego Costa has to play for Chelsea. If he doesn't, I think Bournemouth could get something. Eddie Howe could set them up to squash the play and force Chelsea into playing it long. If they are forced to go long, Hazard, Pedro, Willian, and Oscar are not going to win any balls.
Bournemouth will be buoyed by the late goal they got against Everton. It was a big goal and something they can build on but it's not ideal for them to have to travel to Stamford Bridge straight away.
If Howe can get his tactics right and press Chelsea, they will cause Mourinho's side a few problems. If they don't, it will be a comfortable win for the home side.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Chelsea are 4/11 with Sky Bet to add to Bournemouth's relegation worries by securing three points at Stamford Bridge on SNF. The champions are currently 9/2 to secure a top four finish with the Cherries 8/11 to make an early return to the Championship. The Cherries have conceded two or more goals in their last six away games - Chelsea to score two or more goals is 4/9.
Both teams have scored in four of Bournemouth's last six matches and its 4/5 for that trend to continue on Saturday. Costa is 7/2 favourite to net the opening goal with Junior Stanislas, who scored last week's dramatic equaliser against Everton, a 4/1 to net at Stamford Bridge. Check out the tips from pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson here.
