Team news
No absentees are expected as Ruben Loftus-Cheek has fully recovered from the back injury. He spent 22 minutes on the pitch against Sheffield Wednesday and seems to be ready for the clash. Commenting on the available players, Maurizio Sarri said: “I don’t know exactly at the moment because yesterday the players from the last match had recovery training only. Nothing serious.”
Speaking of our opponent, they will probably have to do without Callum Wilson. The Cherries’ best goalscorer this season will be assessed before the game as he sustained a knee injury in Bournemouth’s latest victory over West Ham. Moreover, Dominic Solanke is also out as he recovers from the hamstring problem.
?Stats to know (via Opta)
Chelsea have beaten Bournemouth twice already this season, winning 2-0 in the reverse league fixture and 1-0 in a League Cup match.
Chelsea – who lost at Arsenal last time out – haven’t lost consecutive Premier League games since March 2018. The Blues haven’t scored more than twice in any of their last 12 Premier League matches, since beating Crystal Palace 3-1 in November.
Chelsea are the only side whose Premier League games are yet to see a single red card this season, while Bournemouth have seen their opponent have a player sent off a league-high six times so far in 2018-19.
Hazard has had a hand in eight goals in his last eight games against Bournemouth in all competitions (7 goals, 1 assist).
?Probable line-ups
We expect the Triple H up front: Higuain has to adapt to the Premier League as soon as possible, Hazard was given rest against The Owls in order to be ready for Bournemouth while Hudson-Odoi netted a goal on Sunday as looks forward to continuing his streak. In the midfield, Kovacic is likely to start while the back four remains the same as at Stamford Bridge in Sheffield Wednesday victory.
?Score predictions
Mark Lawrenson on BBC: “Bournemouth won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day in January last year in what Cherries boss Eddie Howe called their “best result” in the Premier League. Howe’s side ended a poor run by beating West Ham in their last game, on 19 January, but I think Chelsea will be just too strong for them this time. 1-2.”
Michael Owen on BetVictor: “Maurizio Sarri’s side are struggling for goals and have not scored more than twice in their last dozen league games which is a surprise for a side of their quality. I’m looking forward to seeing loan signing Gonzalo Higuain reunited with Sarri, after their successful spell together in Naples. 1-2.”
SportsMole: “It is difficult to predict what Bournemouth side will turn up. The Cherries are entertaining to watch, but do give teams chances down the other end and we fancy Chelsea to secure all three points with a narrow win. 1-2.”
?Quotes from the managers
Maurizio Sarri: “There are only four teams in Europe involved in four different competitions. We have a very difficult final, we have a very difficult match in the FA Cup and we have to fight in the Premier League.”
Eddie Howe: “Callum is going to be a doubt for the game. It’s a knee problem but we’re going to wait and see. We’re going to give him all the time he needs to try to get fit for this game.”