How Chelsea could line up in Premier League clash vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) | OneFootball

Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, knowing a win would provide a timely lift before the curtain falls on 2025.

The Blues are heading into this must-win contest after a frustrating 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca’s side dominated the opening proceedings with Joao Pedro giving Chelsea the lead in the 37th minute after steering home a dangerous Reece James free kick.

Chelsea restricted Villa from having the ball and made sure Unai Emery’s troops went into the break without recording a single shot.

For an hour, the Blues were in cruise control until Ollie Watkins entered the fray and helped Villa turn the game on its head.

Chelsea capitulated in front of their own fans as Watkins bagged a brace to end the Blues’ four-match unbeaten home run.

That defeat saw Chelsea slip to fifth in the table, three points behind Liverpool and only ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.

Maresca will be uneasy that his side have now won just once in their last five league outings (D2, L2) – a run that includes a goalless draw away to Bournemouth earlier this month.

Chelsea will take some confidence from the fact that they’ve won two of their last three home games against the Cherries, although James’ late free kick spared their blushes in the most recent 2-2 draw.

However, the Blues tend to fare well when they wrap up the year on home turf, losing just one of their last 22 such games (W13, D8).

How Chelsea could line up

The wheels began to come off for Chelsea when Maresca made a handful of second-half changes that allowed Villa back into the game.

They were untouchable for an hour, so Maresca will likely stick to the same XI, although there could be a minor tweak due to fitness concerns.

Robert Sanchez is guaranteed to start in goal. Wesley Fofana could return to the XI to partner Trevoh Chalobah.

Malo Gusto could also come in for James, who put in an 8/10 performance in the Villa defeat.

Maresca may opt to rest James from the start while Marc Cucurella retains his spot at left back.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez should continue to anchor the midfield while Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, and Alejandro Garnacho form the supporting cast behind striker Joao Pedro.