Chelsea vs Bournemouth prediction, odds and preview

Chelsea will look to end a three-game losing streak when they return to Premier League action against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The Cherries have climbed to 14th place but remain at risk of getting dragged into the promotion scrap, while the Blues were mired in ninth place at the beginning of the World Cup break.

The Graham Potter effect has worn off for a goal-averse Chelsea team, as they went undefeated in their first nine games before losing four of their last five competitive games before the World Cup break.

Chelsea is eight points away from a spot in the Premier League’s top four, but they are just two points clear of a possible spot in the bottom half, and there are already doubts over Potter’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea hasn’t lost four straight Premier League games since the days of Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli in 1998, but runaway league leaders Arsenal are the only team to beat and shut out the Blues at Stamford Bridge this season.

Similar to Potter, Gary O’Neil also started out strong after taking over at the Vitality Stadium before the defeats came thick and fast. Nevertheless, the 39-year-old accomplished enough to persuade the Cherries board that he was worthy of a permanent deal.

Bournemouth entered the World Cup break on the highest of highs thanks to two straight victories over Everton in the EFL Cup and Premier League, which resulted in a 7-1 aggregate score. Bill Foley’s recent £120 million takeover has also sparked a new wave of optimism surrounding future transfer business.

On Tuesday, Bournemouth returned to competitive play by traveling to Newcastle United to play Eddie Howe’s team in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. However, the Magpies were only able to win 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Adam Smith in the 67th minute.

The Cherries’ focus has now returned to the Premier League, where they have endured a discouraging three straight defeats away from home in the top league and are winless in five games on opposing grounds, where their total of 24 goals conceded is the worst in the division.

Bournemouth is unbeaten in three Premier League games against Chelsea, winning two and drawing one between 2019 and 2020. The South Coast contingent braving the chilly trip to the capital have every reason to believe that such a streak may continue. However, recent history favors those in red and black.