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April 22, 2016


Bournemouth v. Chelsea Preview  (Sky Sports)

Eden HazardEden Hazard could return to the Chelsea starting line-up when Guus Hiddink's side travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Belgium international missed five games but is available for selection again after recovering from a hip injury.

He will be looking to help his avoid a third straight defeat in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth look to complete a league double against Chelsea.

Eddie Howe's men picked up a famous 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in December after Glenn Murray's 82nd minute header sealed all three points.

And a repeat performance would see the Cherries move level on points with the current Premier League champions.

Team news

Bournemouth will again be without defender Adam Smith as he recovers from a groin problem.

Midfielder Harry Arter (achilles) is also not yet fit, while striker Benik Afobe has stepped up his rehabilitation after a hamstring injury.

Forward Callum Wilson made another substitute appearance in the 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool, and is expected to be involved again as he targets a return to the starting XI following six months out with a knee injury.

For the visitors, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois begins his two-match suspension after being sent off for the second time this season against Manchester City.

Captain John Terry will travel with the squad, but remains out with an achilles problem, while Loic Remy (groin) and Kurt Zouma (knee) are out.

Opta stats

Bournemouth have won just two of their previous six meetings with Chelsea in all competitions (L4).

The Cherries have failed to score in three of their last five matches against the Blues, scoring just three goals in total.

Chelsea have conceded just three goals in eight Premier League away games under Guus Hiddink.

Defeat by Swansea City in their last away game ended Guus Hiddink unbeaten run as Chelsea boss in the Premier League and also ended a run of seven matches without defeat away from home for the Blues (W5 D2).

Bournemouth striker Glenn Murray was on the field for 97 seconds before scoring the winner against Chelsea in December.

Chelsea have not lost both home and away against a newly-promoted side in a single Premier League season since 2000-01 (vs Charlton Athletic).

Bournemouth have lost their last two home league matches - they have not lost three in a row in league competition at home since March 2013.

Joshua King has scored in four of his last six Premier League appearances for Bournemouth, after netting just two goals in his opening 21 PL apps of 2015-16.

Callum Wilson has scored five goals from just eight shots on target in the Premier League this season.

Even if Chelsea win their remaining five games of the season, their maximum points tally will be 59. This will be the lowest by a reigning top-flight league champion since Leeds United in 1992-93 (51).

Merson's predictions

This is a hard game. Chelsea could have conceded six against Man City on Saturday, their season is over, they've got players going to the Euros and they can't win a game. I'm not sure which way the game will go but I expect a game full of goals, with Bournemouth needing to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)



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