Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Premier League predictions, best bets and odds

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The appointment of Xabi Alonso was supposed to herald a new dawn for Chelsea, but so far it’s been much of the same as the Blues continue to struggle defensively.

They’ve shipped 12 goals in five Premier League outings thus far – no team has conceded more, and with the international break preventing Alonso from working closely with his players, you wonder if we can expect any improvement on that front come Saturday.

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Bournemouth are yet to win in the Premier League under new boss Marco Rose, but there’s a feeling that the Cherries’ performances have deserved more than their current meagre points tally.

Could they finally get a win on the board at Stamford Bridge? 

Chelsea vs Bournemouth tips

Bournemouth +1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1/2 (Bet365)

Under 3.5 Goals @ 4/6 (Bet365)

Emiliano Martinez over 2+ saves @ 1/4 (Bet365)

Odds courtesy of Bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Supporting the underdog

Chelsea have been priced as the 13/20 favourite for this game, but they haven’t shown much to suggest that they warrant such short odds here.

Their defensive frailties are clear for all to see, having conceded at least twice in each of their five EPL outings thus far, while the possible absence of the steadying influence of Moises Caicedo and Reece James – who are both battling injury – unsettles Chelsea defensively yet further.

Scoring goals hasn’t been as much of an issue for the Blues, but it’s worth noting that Joao Pedro is also struggling for fitness, and he may be replaced by Danny Welbeck on Saturday.

Bournemouth’s formline of W0 D3 L2 perhaps doesn’t tell the whole story. They’ve already faced away games at Manchester City and Newcastle United, as well as tough home dates with Liverpool and Brentford.

The table never lies, so they say, but maybe it’s telling a few mistruths given Bournemouth’s tough run of fixtures – besides which, various data points suggest their performances have not been bad at all.

Only Arsenal and Man City have won more points away from home in the Premier League than the Cherries in 2026 so far, so there’s a chance they will return home from London with a positive result – or maybe a slim defeat – to their credit.

Tip: Bournemouth +1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1/2 (Bet365)

Explanation: Our bet lands if Bournemouth win, draw or lose by a single-goal margin. 

Going against the grain

Goals have followed Chelsea around so far this season.

That won’t have escaped Alonso, who will surely look to be a little more conservative in his tactical plans – he’s had three weeks to work on them, after all.

Consider the attacking talent that could miss this game through injury – Joao Pedro, Junior Kroupi, Justin Kluivert, Amine Adli – and that also impacts the likelihood of goals being scored.

Bournemouth lost 1-0 to Liverpool and 2-1 against Man City, and a repeat of either of those scorelines would see this selection home. Lest we forget, the majority of Premier League games still have three goals or fewer.

Tip: Under 3.5 Goals @ 4/6 (Bet365)

Explanation: Our bet lands if there are three or fewer goals scored in this game.

Martinez in action again

Chelsea keeper Emiliano Martinez was brought to the club for more stability and security, with fans questioning whether Roberto Sanchez was the right man between the sticks for the Blues.

It’s not really worked out like that… just yet, anyway. 

In the four Premier League games he’s played for Chelsea this far, Martinez has picked the ball out of the back of the net six times, including three against Brighton and two against Hull.

And although he has since moved from Villa, he’s averaging 3.2 saves per game since the start of last season – and has made 3+ saves in each of his last nine games.

Given the Blues’ defensive struggles, expect the Argentinian to be in action again here.

Tip: Emiliano Martinez over 2+ saves @ 1/4 (Bet365)

Explanation: Our bet lands if Chelsea win 13 or more free kicks in total.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Match result odds

Chelsea: 13/20 (Bet365)

Draw: 16/5 (Bet365)

Bournemouth: 15/4 (Bet365)

These odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.