Separated by just three points in the upper echelons of the Premier League table, Chelsea and Bournemouth endeavour to build on emphatic FA Cup victories in Tuesday's top-flight battle at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca's men hit Morecambe for five without reply on Saturday, while the Cherries also strolled into the fourth round courtesy of a 5-1 demolition of West Bromwich Albion.
Match preview
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As has so often been the case in this season's Conference League, Maresca's second Chelsea XI enjoyed a largely stress-free afternoon on Saturday, when Morecambe rocked up to their West London home and left on the receiving end of a 5-0 slaughter.
Long-range goals were the order of the day at Stamford Bridge, as Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix both struck braces alongside a customary cup strike from Christopher Nkunku, who had earlier given the visiting crowd their highlight of the day when his penalty was saved by Harry Burgoyne.
That missed spot kick was a minor dose of disappointment for Chelsea, but Maresca's men have experienced a handful of major setbacks in the top flight of late, perhaps proving their manager right when he said that the Blues were not genuine title contenders.
Indeed, Chelsea have only accrued two points from a possible 12 in their last four top-flight games, most recently having to settle for a 1-1 draw at London rivals Crystal Palace, leaving them 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool having played a game more than the Reds.
All of Newcastle United, Manchester City and upcoming opponents Bournemouth could now leapfrog the Blues with satisfactory results in the midweek round of matches, where the hosts could suffer back-to-back Premier League losses at Stamford Bridge for the first time since September 2023.
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Also putting five goals past lower-league opposition at the weekend, Bournemouth had to do it the hard way against West Brom following Caleb Taylor's opener for the Baggies, but the Cherries quickly went on the warpath to extend their astonishing unbeaten sequence.
Dango Ouattara ended the day with two goals to his name, while Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Daniel Jebbison also contributed to the third-round trouncing at the Vitality Stadium, one that marked Bournemouth's ninth game on the bounce without defeat.
Andoni Iraola's crop were not in such hot goalscoring form during the visit of Everton on January 4, but a solitary strike from David Brooks - and an exquisite one at that - was enough to enhance the Cherries' European credentials and consolidate their top-seven ranking in the Premier League table.
Since last falling to defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion in late November, Bournemouth have made club history with an eight-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, and only the top two - Liverpool (15) and Arsenal (10) - are currently on longer sequences without a loss.
A hot streak on the road has proved pivotal to the Cherries' continental push - the visitors have scored multiple goals in each of their last five Premier League away games - but they are winless in six against Chelsea following September's Nkunku-inflicted 1-0 home defeat.
Team News
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Aside from known absentees Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended), Omari Kellyman (hamstring) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (unspecified), the only new concern for Chelsea at the weekend was Noni Madueke, who missed the Morecambe mauling due to illness.
The winger faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Tuesday's game, where Maresca will revert to his 'A' team with no fewer than 10 changes; Pedro Neto may be the only starter from Saturday to hold his place.
Adarabioyo certainly has a case to reprise his role in defence too, but teenage starlet Josh Acheampong - brought back in from the cold after committing to a new contract - has quickly won over Maresca and should return to the first XI.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth hit West Brom for five despite losing both Enes Unal (knee) and Evanilson (foot) to long-term injuries earlier this month; the Cherries are expected to bring in a new striker this month despite recalling Jebbison from his Watford loan.
The 21-year-old has made his case to start at Stamford Bridge with his strike at the weekend, but either Ouattara or Semenyo should spearhead the offensive line this weekend, as 20-year-old Ben Winterburn cedes his place.
Marcos Senesi (thigh), Julian Araujo (thigh), Alex Scott (knee), Marcus Tavernier (thigh), Luis Sinisterra (thigh) and Adam Smith (unspecified) remain in the infirmary as well, while Kepa Arrizabalaga is ineligible, and both Max Aarons and Philip Billing have departed on loan to Valencia and Napoli respectively.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Hill, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Brooks, Kluivert, Ouattara; Semenyo
We say: Chelsea 3-1 Bournemouth
The die should not be cast early on at Stamford Bridge, as Bournemouth have scored 10 goals via substitutes in the 2024-25 Premier League season, more than any other side in the top flight.
However, the Cherries head to West London with depleted options in both attack and defence, and Chelsea's refreshed first-choice XI should bring the Cherries' magical unbeaten run to an end while simultaneously ending their worrying winless sequence.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
