Bournemouth have had some great matches against Chelsea. But playing them now is perhaps not the best time to be taking on Frank Lampard's side. Having lost ground to Leicester City, Man City and Liverpool last week with an away defeat to Everton, Chelsea have to try and get back to winning ways and a patched up AFC Bournemouth will seem like a great way to do exactly that for the Blues.
But Chelsea have their own problems. Their defence is starting to creek and was rather a shambles against a high-pressing Everton last weekend. They were beaten to the ball in just about every challenge and didn't seem up for the fight. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can bully Christensen and Zouma, then it is the perfect example for Solanke to follow. Solanke has to make himself a nuisance and get between the two Chelsea centre-halves, winning the high balls and setting up attacks.
We know Chelsea have great attacking players but Bournemouth will have to stop their supply by jumping on Kante whenever they can, and stopping Kovacic from spreading the play quickly. But if Abrahams, Mount and Pulisic do get on the ball and are heading for goal, I don't want to see AFCB's defenders simply back tracking and not putting in a challenge. Everton set the tone for their win against Chelsea, by basically strangling them and not giving them any room to play. Bournemouth similarly have to get at Chelsea or they'll get picked off if they drop off.
Chelsea Home Form
WWWLW
AFCB Away Form
WLDLL
In other news, Gavin Kilkenny signs new AFCB deal.
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| Familiar territory, but can AFCB repeat previous wins at Stamford Bridge? |
No one is going to do Bournemouth any favours. The aim of the game is to win and Bournemouth will have to face a Chelsea that is fully-focused on looking for weaknesses in AFCB's set-up. Chelsea will be delighted that players like Nathan Aké and Callum Wilson are not available.
But Chelsea have their own problems. Their defence is starting to creek and was rather a shambles against a high-pressing Everton last weekend. They were beaten to the ball in just about every challenge and didn't seem up for the fight. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can bully Christensen and Zouma, then it is the perfect example for Solanke to follow. Solanke has to make himself a nuisance and get between the two Chelsea centre-halves, winning the high balls and setting up attacks.
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Everton played themselves into form and that's what AFCB also need to do to get something from the Chelsea game.
Chelsea Home Form
WWWLW
AFCB Away Form
WLDLL
In other news, Gavin Kilkenny signs new AFCB deal.
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