Chelsea vs Bournemouth LIVE! Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, and prediction
Chelsea vs Bournemouth LIVE!
Chelsea return to Premier League action tonight at Stamford Bridge, seeking to halt a recent downturn and revive their dim title aspirations. After a brilliant first few months under Enzo Maresca, the Blues seemed to be solidly in the title race, but they have faltered recently, failing to win any of their past four top-flight games.
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Chelsea, who are attempting to sign Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel, are in risk of facing a true battle simply to make the top four, with a number of clubs close behind, including next opponents Bournemouth. Maresca's side have Reece James and Romeo Lavia back and received a confidence boost from Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup victory over League Two strugglers Morecambe, but today will be a far stiffer challenge.
The Cherries have been soaring under Andoni Iraola, going undefeated in eight to climb up to seventh place and only three points behind Chelsea, having won three of their past four away games. However, injuries to players such as record signing Evanilson and Enes Unal threaten to derail their progress. Watch Chelsea vs Bournemouth live below!
CHELSEA VS BOURNEMOUTH LATEST NEWS
Bournemouth make early moves in January market
Bournemouth, however, have already moved twice in January.
Matai Akinmboni, an American youth international defender, joined the Cherries from MLS side DC United for an initial cost of roughly £810,000.
They have also signed teenage left-back Julio Soler from Argentine club Lanus for an initial fee of £6.6 million, but as previously stated, he is now on international duty.
So far, the only departures have been Philip Billing and Max Aarons, who went on loan to Napoli and Valencia, respectively.
Chelsea want Mathys Tel as Bayern eye Nkunku deal
Chelsea appear to be ramping up their transfer activity this month, with rumors circulating about a bid for Bayern Munich attacker Mathys Tel, which might send Christopher Nkunku in the opposite direction.
Sporting hear Chelsea has informed Bayern that they want £65 million for Nkunku and are keen in signing fellow Frenchman Tel, 19, if the former goes in January.
However, no swap agreement has been suggested, and it is anticipated that any moves will be separate.
Chelsea aim to halt rise of away day specialists Bournemouth
Tonight at Stamford Bridge, it's the stillness before the storm.
According to Opta, Chelsea have only preserved one home clean sheet this season in the Premier League and have scored more on the road.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, has won three of their previous four away league games, with at least two goals in each of their past five.
Chelsea, on the other hand, is unbeaten in the past six encounters between the teams, having won 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium in September and not losing to tonight's opponents since 2019.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth prediction
Given Bournemouth's recent form and Chelsea's lack of deadly instinct, a draw tonight would not be surprising.
Draw, 1-1.
Bournemouth team news
Bournemouth have recently been shaken by record signing Evanilson's foot fracture and Enes Unal's season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.
First-choice goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is on loan from Chelsea, will miss tonight's game, although midfielder Ryan Christie is back in contention following an illness.
Daniel Jebbison has also returned, while Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Marcus Tavernier, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra, and Adam Smith all remain sidelined.
Bournemouth have loaned out midfielder Philip Billing and full-back Max Aarons to Napoli and Valencia, respectively, while defender Julio Soler is on international duty with Argentina's Under-20s.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea's captain Reece James and important midfielder Romeo Lavia both played 45 minutes against Morecambe on Saturday after returning from injury.
Enzo Maresca, as we've come to anticipate in cup games this season, made wholesale changes for that game against fourth-tier opposition, the most of which are expected to be overturned this evening.
Josh Acheampong, a young centre-back, might make another start, while Noni Madueke is thought to be fully healthy after recovering from sickness.
Centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain away through injury though, as does Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable.
How to watch Chelsea vs Bournemouth
TV channel: In the UK, tonight's game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3. Coverage starts at 6:30pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth live
Hello and welcome to Sporting's live coverage of Chelsea vs Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Blues will be anxious to win tonight in order to reclaim the crown and fend off a number of competitors who are closing in on them in an increasingly congested race to finish in the top four.
Enzo Maresca's usually flying team has failed to win any of their past four league games, although they did defeat League Two relegation rivals Morecambe at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
The going will be much tougher against a Bournemouth team that has made incredible progress under highly-rated head coach Andoni Iraola, going unbeaten in eight, with a strong away record and by far the most points they've ever accumulated by this stage in Premier League history - just three points behind fourth-place Chelsea in seventh at the start of the evening.
However, recent injury setbacks have raised concerns about the Cherries' ability to maintain their current pace without certain important players.
Tonight's kickoff in west London is at 7:30pm GMT, so stay tuned for match previews, all the latest team news, and live updates, as well as expert commentary from Chelsea journalist Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge.
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