Chelsea vs Bournemouth Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Chelsea haven’t won a league game since August, and Bournemouth haven’t won one all season.

Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday morning New Zealand time, with kick-off at 3am. It’s the first league game for both after the international break. Chelsea are 10th on seven points and Bournemouth are 17th with three.

In my Chelsea vs Bournemouth preview I go through form and team news for both sides, and I’ve gone for a combo bet paying a touch over $3.

This one’s for anyone hunting value in football sports betting this weekend.

Chelsea

I wouldn’t trust this Chelsea defence as far as I can throw it.

They’ve conceded 12 in five league games, more than anyone else in the division, and Brentford put three past them on 18 September without much fuss. Jaidon Anthony broke the deadlock just after the hour, and it unravelled from there, with Brentford adding a third in stoppage time.

The Hull game worried me more. Morgan Rogers had them in front after seven minutes, then Jorrel Hato let a ball bounce over him in his own box and Mohamed Belloumi pounced. Hull were 2-1 up by half-time.

Joao Pedro rescued a point on 66 minutes, smashing a cross into the roof of the net. He’s the big loss here for me. Danny Welbeck led the line at Brentford and the 35-year-old worked hard, but Chelsea looked short of ideas in the final third all night.

Team News: Joao Pedro is out. Palmer, James and Caicedo are being assessed after the break, and Gittens is a doubt with an ankle injury. Palestra and Emegha are pushing for their debuts.

Predicted Lineup: Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Lavia, Henderson, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth are much better than their league position implies.

They led Manchester City until the 84th minute on the opening weekend and lost 2-1. A week later Everton equalised in the 91st minute, and Newcastle came from 2-0 down on 5 September with Jacob Ramsey scoring in the 88th.

I don’t put that down to bad luck. It’s a habit now, and it’s cost them a pile of points.

Away from the league, they won 2-1 at Real Sociedad in their first ever Europa League campaign. Marcus Tavernier is their main threat going forward right now, and he had them ahead inside nine minutes at St James’ Park.

If you’re following this one in-play on the best punting app you’ve got, the last 10 minutes are where I’d be watching their back line.

Team News: Scott is out for around two months. Kluivert, Kroupi, Araujo, Milosavljevic and Adli are all injured.

Predicted Lineup: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert; Adams, Cook; Rayan, Christie, Tavernier; Evanilson.

• The last three Premier League meetings between these two have finished level.
• Chelsea have conceded in 21 straight Premier League games.
• Bournemouth have scored in their last six Premier League away games.
• Chelsea’s league games this season have averaged 4.4 goals.
• Bournemouth have won three Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.

I’m siding with Chelsea, but it’s a nervy pick.

Bournemouth were the better side for long spells of the first half against Liverpool before the break, and they only lost to Alexander Isak’s strike on 57 minutes. Both of their league defeats have come against sides currently in the top six. I won’t be surprised if they give Chelsea a few problems early.

But I think Chelsea get more bodies back for this one. Even one or two returns from the treatment room would change the look of their midfield, and that was where they got overrun at Brentford.

I’m iffy about which Chelsea turns up here. They beat Brighton 4-3 at the Bridge in August, then folded at Brentford a few weeks later.

I’m going 3-2 to Chelsea. A draw wouldn’t shock me, and I wouldn’t touch the home win on its own at $1.70. Goals are where my money’s going.

Chelsea to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $3.30

Both teams have scored in four of Chelsea’s five league games this season, and it’s the same story for Bournemouth.

Chelsea have six goals from their two home league games, so I’m not worried about them finding the net. I just can’t see them shutting Bournemouth out for 90 minutes, and Bournemouth’s late lapses give Chelsea a way to win it if it’s close going into the last ten.

It’s a risk if this one finishes level again, I know.

Shop around the best legal sports betting sites and you should find $3.30 or close to it.