Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Predicted lineup, injury news, head to head

The Blues return to Premier League action on Tuesday evening when they host the Cherries.

Chelsea remain eighth in the league as they resume their campaign against Bournemouth. Following the departure of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea appointed Graham Potter, and the club went on a winning streak until they were disrupted and lost three consecutive games. Although a break in between may have allowed Graham Potter time to assess the situation and identify the necessary parts, the Blues would attempt to end the season in the top four.

Bournemouth are 14th in the table after winning only four games. Gary O'Neil will try to finish in the Premier League as they confront a difficult task on Tuesday. They come into this game off a 1-0 loss to Newcastle.

Kick-off: 11 pm (IST), 5:30 (GMT)

Chelsea form (all competition): L-W-L-L-L

Bournemouth form (all competition): L-L-W-W-L

Players to watch

Chelsea

Aubameyang

The former Barcelona man would need to score goals as Chelsea have failed to score in their last three matches and it appears that their number nine plague will linger. But Aubameyang, who has scored a flurry of goals in his career and could mark a tipping point for the Blues, as they want to end the curse.

Bournemouth

The Welshman is a well-known striker for Bournemouth, and he was fantastic for Wales in the World Cup, despite failing to score a goal. Moore's major attributes are his tactical knowledge and can physically and tactically overwhelm defenders.

Match facts

• Chelsea have lost three of their five home games against Bournemouth (W2) – since the start of 2015-16. City and Liverpool are the only teams they have lost most against in home games.
• Bournemouth have taken seven points from their previous three matches against Chelsea (W2 D1).
• Raheem Sterling has faced Bournemouth nine times and scored in all, including a hattrick in 2015.

Injury and team news

Recce James and Carney Chukwuemeka have returned from their injuries and could play in this game, however Wesley Fofana and Armando Borja suffered knee injuries in friendly games, Ben Chilwell is still iffy, and N'Golo Kante will be absent until February.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will return following calf and foot injuries, respectively, while Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech will enjoy a World Cup respite.

Head coach O'Neil has stated that a total of ten players have been ill, and it is unknown who will recover in time for the game. While the rest are set to play on Tuesday.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 17

Chelsea:  11

Draws: 1

Bournemouth: 5

Predicted lineup

Chelsea predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Cucurella; Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling.

Bournemouth predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Travers; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Christie, Billing, Cook, Anthony; Solanke, Moore.

Prediction

This will be a fresh start for Chelsea, and Graham Potter will be expecting them to begin their post-World Cup matches on a consistent basis. Chelsea are not plagued by as many injury concerns as Bournemouth, and they are clear favourites in this game. They have a strong defence and an offensive that can dismantle any defence, so Potter's men should be able to win comfortably.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Bournemouth.