Premier League: Cherries Face a Blue Backlash

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea heads south on Saturday in search of a win, and some redemption, after they managed to lose 3-1 away to strugglers Leeds United on Wednesday night. 

The defeat was a serious blow to Chelsea’s title aspirations, leaving them nine points behind leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. A couple of weeks ago I was among a group of fans and pundits tipping Maresca’s men as potential contenders but now they need to put together an incredible run and hope that both Arsenal and Manchester City falter.   

Next up the Blues face a club which made a good start to the 2025/26 campaign but has since stumbled and Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are looking over their shoulders and that makes Premier League: Bournemouth vs Chelsea a big, big game for both clubs.    

 

Talking Points

Are Bournemouth on the slide?   

After throwing away a two goal lead at Sunderland last weekend the Cherries had a tough test on Tuesday when they hosted Everton, and a late Jack Grealish goal made it four defeats in five for the South Coast club. The Toffees’ goal took a wicked deflection off Bafode Diakite to beat Djordje Petrovic in the Bournemouth goal, and that was harsh on Bournemouth but, with only five efforts on goal at home against a mid table side, they hardly deserved more. 

After pushing reigning champions Liverpool close on the opening day of the campaign, Bournemouth were unbeaten in their next eight, beating Wolves, Tottenham, Brighton and Hove Albion, Fulham and Nottingham Forest along the way. Iraola, who has been on the radar of the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham, described the loss to Everton as the worst performance of the Cherries’ campaign. The start to the season was even more impressive considering the loss of their best players, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi during the summer window, and the club’s fans are fearful that Antoine Semenyo, the league’s fifth top scorer with six goals, may be on his way in January. 

All is not well at the Vitality Stadium at the moment and Chelsea will look to take advantage on Saturday.         

 

Blues must cope without Caicedo

Chelsea held league leaders Arsenal with just ten men last weekend, a great result but one which came at a serious cost after midfield engine Moises Caicedo was sent off. His reckless tackle on Mikel Merino was uncharacteristic of Caicedo, it was the first red card of the Ecuadorian’s career and, as a calm player with superb ball reading and distribution skills he would be a huge loss for any team. But this is a young group of players at Chelsea and they failed to control the game against a Leeds team, which was desperate to give their fans something to cheer about, despite having over 70 per cent possession.  

The good news for Blues fans was the greatly anticipated return of playmaker Cole Palmer, and with flair players aplenty in their ranks, including Brazilian starlet Estevao, Portuguese striker Pedro Neto and England youngster Jamie Gittens, they will stretch the Cherries’ defence when they find the space. Skipper Enzo Fernandez, still only 24, will try to exert his authority in midfield and he will get plenty of support from the combative Marc Cucurella on the flank. 

Caicedo still has two games of his suspension to serve and Chelsea can’t afford any more slips ups before his return; and the latest Bournemouth vs Chelsea betting odds say they should get back to winning ways this weekend. 

 

History

The Blues have had the better of the head to head Bournemouth vs Chelsea results with 15 wins to the Cherries’ five and there have been three draws in all competitions. Last season the two teams drew 2-2 at Stamford Bridge after the Blues had taken a 1-0 win from the fixture in Bournemouth, as Christopher Nkunku came off the bench to win it for Chelsea after the Cherries had missed a penalty and twice hit the woodwork.  

In terms of recent form the Blues have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games while the Cherries have won one, drawn one and lost four.  

 

Betting Tip

Bournemouth are at SBOTOP odds of 3.25 to get a much needed win on Saturday, with the draw at 3.50 and the double chance Bournemouth or draw is at 1.65. Chelsea are not the most reliable of teams; but they do have some seriously good players and greater strength in depth than their hosts who are in something of a rut.    

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.