Bournemouth vs Chelsea: Match Preview, Latest Team News and Score Prediction | OneFootball

Bournemouth vs Chelsea Preview Ahead of Premier League Showdown

Chelsea arrive on the south coast searching for both direction and reassurance as the Premier League campaign begins to ask harder questions of Enzo Maresca’s evolving side. Sunday’s emotionally draining 1-1 draw with Arsenal was framed as a moral victory, a ten man stand that drew praise for resilience and character. Yet football has a habit of shifting narratives quickly and Wednesday night’s defeat to Leeds has reopened the wider discussion about credibility in a title race that now feels further away than it did just days earlier.

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The nine point gap to the league leaders is a reminder that encouragement only carries weight if it is followed by tangible results. Bournemouth therefore presents not merely a fixture but a chance for Chelsea to begin repairing momentum before doubt settles deeper into the Stamford Bridge discourse.

Bournemouth Form and Key Context

The hosts are wrestling with their own unease. Recent weeks have yielded frustration rather than reward, most obviously a squandered two goal advantage against Sunderland followed by a damaging home loss to Everton on Tuesday night. That sequence has softened the growing optimism around the Vitality Stadium and leaves Bournemouth needing a response of equal urgency to their visitors.

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This meeting takes place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with kick off scheduled for 3pm GMT. The game will be played at the Vitality Stadium but will not be televised live in the UK owing to the Saturday blackout regulations.

Watch Info and Matchday Viewing

While there is no live broadcast opportunity, fans will not be left without coverage. Highlights will be available via the Sky Sports app and YouTube channel from 5.15pm GMT. Traditional viewers can tune into Match of the Day on BBC One at 10.20pm for full analysis.

Bournemouth vs Chelsea Team News

Bournemouth must cope without Tyler Adams after the midfielder reached his fifth Premier League booking in the defeat to Everton. Lewis Cook continues to serve a three match suspension following his dismissal against Sunderland.

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Injury issues remain with Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie unavailable. The return of Marcos Senesi and David Brooks following respective bans offers some relief, restoring experience to a side that has looked stretched.

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Chelsea’s selections are shaped by enforced absences and strategic rotation. Moises Caicedo misses out again as he completes his suspension following his red card in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Dario Essugo will also sit out after a setback earlier this week.

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There is expectation that Cole Palmer may step into the starting eleven after appearing from the bench at Elland Road. Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Pedro Neto are likely to be reintroduced as Maresca seeks freshness following a condensed run of games.

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Prediction and Historical Backdrop

Both teams enter the contest believing victory essential. Bournemouth require restoration of belief after recent slips, while Chelsea need to demonstrate that setbacks have not blunted their ambitions.

This remains a difficult match to call, yet Chelsea’s deeper pool of attacking options and defensive recoveries could prove decisive against a Bournemouth side low on recent confidence.

Chelsea to win, 1-0.

History favours the London visitors. Chelsea claimed last season’s corresponding fixture when Robert Sanchez saved a penalty from Evanilson before Christopher Nkunku struck late on.

Bournemouth wins: 5Chelsea wins: 15Draws: 3