AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea, Premier League: Preview, team news, how to watch

Welcome back to football! All distractions are done; the season really starts now.

The transfer window has closed, the international break is over, the squads are settled, registered, and set.

And there’s a lot of work to be done.

Results in the first month of Enzo Maresca’s time in charge have been decidedly mixed. One win, one draw, one defeat, plus a perfunctory advancement over two legs in the UEFA Conference League. Results will have to improve if we are to inject some stability at least on the football side of things, even as the upper hierarchy have their battle royale.

First up, Bournemouth.

Date / Time: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT; 12:30am IST (next day)
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Referee: Anthony Taylor (on pitch); Peter Bankes (VAR)
Forecast: sunny and warm-ish

On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); none (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League, Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: Sky Go (UK); Peacock (USA); Hotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images

AFC Bournemouth team news: For guiding the Cherries to a 12th place finish, head coach Andoni Iraola got himself a nice new contract extension this summer. And then his leading goalscorer, former Chelsea prospect Dominic Solanke, was sold for big money to Tottenham Hotspur.

Porto’s Evanilson arrived as the big-money replacement soon after, but he’s yet to score. Bournemouth also have a new starting goalkeeper, with Kepa Arrizabalaga coming in late on loan from Chelsea, though obviously he won’t be able to play in this one.

Tyler Adams and Dango Outtara are also unavailable, the latter picking up an injury on international duty, while striker Enes Unal and midfielder David Brooks face late fitness tests.

Bournemouth have five points from their first three games, including a ridiculous 3-2 win over Everton just prior to the break, in which they scored all their goals after the 86th minute.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea team news: Injuries have reared their ugly heads in a rathe familiar development for the Blues, with Malo Gusto joining Roméo Lavia and Reece James on the sidelines — and none of the three recovering over the break (Lavia’s the closest). Thankfully, Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana should be okay to go after withdrawing from international duty to focus on their fitness.

This game should also feature the debut of Jadon Sancho, who arrived on loan from Manchester United on deadline day.

Previously: We’ve won three of the last four against Bournemouth, but this fixture ended in a scoreless draw last season.