The Graham Potter effect has worn off for a goal-averse Chelsea team, as they went undefeated in their first nine games before losing four of their last five competitive games before the World Cup break.
In contrast to the Blues’ poor domestic performance, which included losing three straight Premier League games to Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, and Newcastle United, the Blues’ advancement to the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners has been a small bright spot.
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Unai Emery’s team, leaving them winless in their last four competitive and non-competitive games and without a single goal scored during that span. The addition of a winter friendly against Aston Villa did not help Chelsea’s situation either.
Chelsea is eight points away from a spot in the Premier League’s top four, but they are only two points clear of a possible spot in the bottom half, and there are already doubts about Potter’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea hasn’t lost four straight Premier League games since the days of Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli in 1998.
Although runaway leaders Arsenal are the only side to both beat and keep a clean sheet against the Blues at Stamford Bridge in the current Premier League season.
Similar to Potter, Gary O’Neil also started off strong after taking over at the Vitality Stadium before the defeats came thick and fast. Nevertheless, the 39-year-old did enough to persuade the Cherries board that he was worthy of a permanent contract.
Bournemouth entered the World Cup break on the highest of highs thanks to two straight victories over Everton in the EFL Cup and Premier League, which resulted in a 7-1 aggregate score. Bill Foley’s recent £120 million takeover has also sparked a new wave of optimism surrounding future transfer business.
On Tuesday, Bournemouth returned to competitive play by travelling to Newcastle United to play Eddie Howe’s team in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. However, the Magpies were only able to win 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Adam Smith in the 67th minute.
The Cherries’ focus has now returned to the Premier League, where they have endured a discouraging three straight defeats away from home in the top division and are winless in five games on opposing grounds, where their total of 24 goals conceded is the worst in the division.
Bournemouth is unbeaten in three Premier League games against Chelsea, winning two and drawing one between 2019 and 2020.
This recent history, favours those wearing red and black, and the South Coast contingent braving the chilly trip to the capital have every reason to believe that this streak may continue!
1×2 Betting Odds
The matchup between a Bournemouth team suffering from a winter illness and a Chelsea team decimated by injuries does not have the makings of a classic, especially since Potter’s team lacked that crucial touch in front of goal!
But it still should be enough that well rested Chelsea team to end their run of narrow defeats because, aside from that 1-0 loss to Arsenal, the Blues have performed admirably at Stamford Bridge.
And the betting market thinks on similar lines!
Chelsea, playing on Stamford, are the favourites to win with odds @ 1.36.
Although they will take confidence from their recent form against the blues, Bournemouth are still massive underdogs coming here with odds @ 10.00.
The odds of a stalemate and that points will be shared, stands @ 5.60.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.72.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.31.
So the market expects there to be around three goals in the game with Chelsea winning!
