Predicted Bournemouth Lineup To Face Chelsea
Bournemouth will go head to head against Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday evening at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries are at 13th place in the standings in the league table and are unbeaten in their last five league encounters. They will be coming into the game with high spirits after earning a well-fought 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night. The last time the two teams met, Chelsea ran comfortable 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge and Eddie Howe will be keen on avoiding a similar fate at home.
Team News
Bournemouth will be without the services of midfielder Andrew Surman who is ruled out for a long time due to a knee injury. Defender Tyrone Mings will miss out once again as part of his five-match suspension while goalkeeper Adam Federici and striker Callum Wilson are long-term absentees.
Probable Bournemouth Playing XI
Formation: 4-4-2
Manager: Eddie Howe
Artur Boruc (GK)
The Polish goalkeeper was excellent in the midweek fixture against Liverpool and a similar performance will be needed against a mighty Chelsea attack.
Adam Smith (RB)
The 25-year old has been a constant fixture in the Bournemouth line-up and has missed just two league games this season. He will start again at right-back.
Simon Francis (CB)
The club captain will slot in at centre-half and will look to keep the threat of Diego Costa at a bare minimum.
Steve Cook (CB)
Partnering Francis will be the ever so impressive Steve Cook. The 25-year old has been one of the best Cherries players this season and is a definite starter.
Charlie Daniels (LB)
And the backline will be completed by the 30-year old Charlie Daniels at left-back. The Englishman has scored 3 goals this term and has 3 assists as well. He has been one of the most consistent Bournemouth players this term.
Ryan Fraser (RM)
On the right-wing, we expect a change with the fit-again Ryan Fraser coming in for Jordan Ibe who did not have the best of the games against Liverpool in the midweek.
Jack Wilshere (CM)
The loan signing who is the Cherries’ most creative player this term, has created 32 chances so far and will be tasked with pulling the strings from the midfield.
Harry Arter (CM)
Alongside Wilshere, it will be the energetic Harry Arter in the middle of the park. He will have his task cut out against the likes of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante.
Marc Pugh (LM)
The 30-year old has been heavily used in recent weeks by Howe, despite him scoring just once and setting up one goal this term. Expect him to retain his place.
Joshua King (CF)
The 25-year old Norwegian has scored 12 times this term and scored the late equaliser against Liverpool on Wednesday. Definite starter.
Benik Afobe (ST)
And alongside him, it will be former Arsenal man Benik Afobe. The 24-year old has scored only 5 times this season and has failed to meet expectations. But, having scored on Wednesday, he will be hoping to build on that performance.