Chelsea vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Chelsea really could do with finding some consistency after the international break as The Blues now welcome AFC Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge.

Kick-off date/time: 10 October 2026 at 3:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – NBC

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock

Chelsea preview: Chaotic start

Chelsea started the Xabi Alonso reign in entertaining fashion before the international break but after victories against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion, they have since collected just one point from three matches.

After a defeat to Arsenal and then a draw with Hull City, The Blues then succumbed to a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Brentford in a West London Derby at the Gtech Community Stadium a few weeks ago.

Bournemouth preview: Still winless in the Premier League

After the departure of Andoni Iraola to Liverpool over the summer, Marco Rose has managed some strong performances in charge of Bournemouth, as well as a win against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League in their debut European campaign.

However, The Cherries are surprisingly still winless in the Premier League. They have been unfortunate but headed into the break on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium.

Chelsea team news: Palmer and James set to be fine

Cole Palmer withdrew from international duty for England but is expected to be fine after managing his workload, while captain Reece James is also set to be fit.

Jordan Henderson returned to action before the break with Marco Palestra, Moises Caicedo and Emmanuel Emegha having spent the season working their way back to full fitness.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; James, Caicedo, Lavia, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck

Unavailable: Pedro (Injured)

Questionable: Penders (Injured), Palestra (Fitness), James (Fitness), Caicedo (Fitness), Palmer (Fitness), Gittens (Injured), Emegha (Fitness)

Bournemouth team news: Kluivert still out

Netherlands international attacker Justin Kluivert remains sidelined for Bournemouth and is not expected to return for a couple of weeks yet due to a small muscular injury.

Their other injury issues include defenders Veljko Milosavljevic and Julian Araujo as well as attacking duo Amine Adli and Eli Junior Kroupi.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert; Adams, Cook; Tavernier, Scott, Rayan; Evanilson

Unavailable: Milosavljevic (Injured), Araujo (Injured), Adli (Injured), Kluivert (Injured), Kroupi (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key stats

• Chelsea have won nine of 18 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (D5 L4). 
• The last three meetings have all been drawn: 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in January 2025, 0-0 at the Vitality in December 2025 and 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in December 2025. 
• Bournemouth have won three Premier League games at Stamford Bridge: 1-0 in December 2015, 3-0 in January 2018 and 1-0 in December 2019. 
• Chelsea have conceded in 21 consecutive Premier League matches, a club record (previous longest: 13 in 1996). Their last clean sheet was a 2-0 win over Brentford on 17 January 2026. 
• Coming into Matchweek 6, neither side has kept a clean sheet this season. Bournemouth have not kept one in seven Premier League games, since a 1-0 win at Fulham on 9 May 2026. 
• Coming into Matchweek 6, Chelsea's games have averaged 4.40 goals, the highest in the division (10 scored, 12 conceded), and they have conceded more goals than any other team. 
• Chelsea are winless in three Premier League games (D1 L2) and lost 3-0 at Brentford last time out. 
• Chelsea are unbeaten in three home Premier League matches (W2 D1). 
• Coming into Matchweek 6, Bournemouth are one of three teams yet to win this season (D3 L2), and they are winless in seven Premier League games (D5 L2). 
• Bournemouth finished sixth last season, their highest Premier League finish. They won six away games (D8 L5) and kept 11 clean sheets. 
• Bournemouth have scored in six successive Premier League away matches. Their games have averaged 2.80 goals this season. 

Chelsea vs Bournemouth prediction

Bournemouth led late on before losing away at Manchester City before conceding late equalisers to Everton and Newcastle United; once 2-0 up in the game against the latter. Bournemouth even led in a 2-2 draw against Brentford before that hard-fought defeat to Liverpool. They will believe results have not belied their performance level and that will be a concern for a porous Chelsea side and another entertaining game for the neutral involving the hosts feels likely.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth tip: Both teams to score