Will the Blues squander another lead at Stamford Bridge?
The Blues dominated the Premier League’s most in-form team for one half on the previous matchday. The reward was meager (1-0 at halftime vs. Aston Villa), and the consequences followed in the second half. A brace from Ollie Watkins leaves the reigning Conference League champions at a loss ahead of the Chelsea vs. Bournemouth tip.
Enzo Maresca and his team rarely convert their best performances into wins – especially at home. At Stamford Bridge, the fifth-placed team has dropped points in four of nine Premier League home games this season after taking the lead. Such a scenario cannot be ruled out in our Chelsea vs. Bournemouth prediction.
The two opponents met just a few weeks ago. On matchday 15, referee Michael Oliver blew the final whistle before a goal was scored (0-0). Nevertheless, we have looked around the best betting apps for Chelsea vs. Bournemouth betting odds for a goal bet.
We suspect a stark contrast to the last direct duel. This idea is fueled by the vulnerable defenses currently found in both clubs. Both the Blues and the Cherries have allowed 0.13 expected goals per shot so far – no Premier League team has conceded better finishing positions to their opponents on average.
Thanks to AFC’s intense style of play (9.8 PPDA – the lowest in the English top flight), entertaining encounters are a regular feature of the fixture list. Just think of what was perhaps the most exciting game of the current PL season – a 4-4 draw between Manchester United and the Cherries.
In front of the opponent’s goal, Andoni Iraola’s team is extremely dependent on Antoine Semenyo (nine goals). The sought-after top player has scored in three consecutive PL games and is in good form as he travels to Stamford Bridge. We recommend the Chelsea vs. Bournemouth odds of 2.25 for “Over 3.5 goals in the game” at Bet365.
Chelsea – Bournemouth Head-to-head record
The Blues have not lost any of their last three Premier League home games against the Cherries (2W, 1D). The last meeting between the two sides took place at Chelsea’s home ground on matchday 21 of last season, with the game ending 2-2 after 90 intense minutes.
For years, the visitors have been trying in vain to win against the six-time English champions in the English top flight. However, their last eight attempts in this direction have not been successful (4D, 4L). The visitors’ current form (nine consecutive Premier League games without a win) makes it likely that this dry spell will continue.
Chelsea – Bournemouth Tip
Wild and varied encounters are the norm in Iraola’s team’s games. An average of 4.8 goals have been scored in their ten PL away games so far. It seems that the Cherries’ highly praised pressing is much less effective away from home than at home.
The fifteenth-placed team has conceded 88.6 percent of its goals so far away from its own arena (31/35). That’s 3.1 goals conceded per away game for the Cherries. Visiting the fourth-best expected offense on the island (30.4 xG), further goals are likely.
Especially if Maresca’s team makes profitable use of their strength from set pieces. Only Arsenal (10) have turned to their own fans to celebrate goals from corners more often than the Blues (8), whose eleven set-piece goals are the second-best tally in the English top flight.
When the opposition takes set pieces, the red light flashes particularly brightly in Iraola’s back line. Together with Liverpool, Bournemouth has the most vulnerable defense against set pieces (twelve goals conceded from set pieces each).
