Bournemouth v Chelsea: Prediction, Tips and Odds

A tight match looks likely when Bournemouth welcome Chelsea to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday night.

The Blues have aspirations of a top-four finish this term after once again splashing the cash over the summer, but they have made a mediocre start to achieving that goal having followed up a sensational 6-2 win at Wolves with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

They will be looking to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later, but their trip to the Vitality Stadium is unlikely to be an easy one given Bournemouth have made an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign, drawing their first two matches before staging a sensational comeback against Everton.

Bournemouth v Chelsea betting tips and predictions

Draw @ 14/5

The recent international break was an untimely one for Bournemouth.

Had this clash come immediately after their 3-2 win over Everton - a match which saw them break the record for the latest comeback from 2-0 down in Premier League history - they would have an immense amount of confidence and would arguably be favourites for the victory. 

Instead, the Cherries’ momentum has likely been halted somewhat and Andoni Iraola and his side may be happy to settle for a point against their big-spending visitors.

A draw would still be a positive result given Chelsea have won four of the last five meetings between the pair and Bournemouth have shown that they have what it takes to mix it with the best at the Vitality. 

Iraola’s men have lost just one of their eight home matches and given they have drawn with Newcastle and Manchester United - sides who finished within three points of Chelsea last term - a sharing of the points seems a likely outcome for Saturday’s clash. 

There will be some who will be expecting a huge performance from Enzo Maresca’s side following their 6-2 win at Wolves in their most recent Premier League away game, but the Cherries, who shut out free-scoring Brighton and Crystal Palace towards the end of last season, should put up more of a fight. 

Chelsea’s only losses in their last 11 Premier League away games came against last season’s top two, Manchester City and Arsenal, so defeat seems unlikely, but they are still a side in transition and a repeat of last term’s draw at the Vitality looks to be on the cards for the Blues. 

Antoine Semenyo to score or assist @ 7/5

A huge reason for Bournemouth’s unbeaten start to the league season has been the form of Antoine Semenyo, who has gone about off-setting the departure of Dominic Solanke with purpose through the early stages of the campaign. 

Solanke netted 19 Premier League goals last term, so Cherries fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst when his transfer to Tottenham was confirmed.

However, Semenyo’s two goals and one assist in three league games at the start of this season has gone some way to easing those fears. 

The Ghanaian has looked lively this term and no player has taken more shots than his 17 this term, suggesting he could have plenty of joy against a Chelsea side who are without a clean sheet in six matches and have gone 22 games without a shutout on their travels.  

The Blues have shipped 43 goals across that 22-game run without an away clean sheet and could give up plenty of chances to Bournemouth, and Semenyo in particular, on Saturday. 

Marc Cucurella to be booked @ 12/5

With Semenyo set to be a livewire at the Vitality once more, it could pay to back the defender likeliest to be tasked with man-marking him to fall foul of the referee.

Luckily for punting purposes, that man is Marc Cucurella, a tenacious defender who will not shy away from a tackle. 

The Spaniard has already picked up one booking this term and it would be no surprise to see him surpass his hefty tally of 10 in 21 Premier League matches last season over the course of this campaign. 

Maresca’s tactics could also leave Cucurella more exposed on the south coast too.

With Reece James and Malo Gusto set to miss out through injury, centre-back Axel Disasi may be deployed on the right of the Blues’ backline, meaning Cucurella will be the defender tasked with getting forward most often. 

If Bournemouth start springing counter attacks, the Spaniard could be caught out of position and may have to take a tactical foul to stop the danger, which would result in an immediate yellow card. 

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Bournemouth v Chelsea odds

Bournemouth -12/5
Draw - 14/5
Chelsea - 1/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.