Chelsea vs. Bournemouth: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Chelsea host Bournemouth face on Tuesday night, with both sides eager to reverse poor recent form.

The Blues have managed just one win in their last five Premier League matches, their inconsistency seeing them slip out of the top four despite looking like potential title contenders just a month ago.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have not won since late October. A string of draws has done little to help, leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to the encounter, including predicted lineups and key talking points.

What Time Does Chelsea vs. Bournemouth Kick-Off?

Location: London, England
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 30
Kick-off Time: 7.30 p.m. BST / 2.30 p.m. ET / 11.30 a.m. PT
Referee: Samuel Barrott
VAR: Craig Pawson

Chelsea vs. Bournemouth Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Chelsea: 2 wins
Bournemouth: 0 wins
Draws: 3

Last meeting: Bournemouth 0–0 Chelsea (Dec. 6, 20256)—Premier League

Current Form (All Competitions)

Chelsea	Bournemouth
Chelsea 1–2 Aston Villa - 27/12/25	Brentford 4–1 Bournemouth - 27/12/25
Newcastle 2–2 Chelsea - 20/12/25	Bournemouth 1–1 Burnley - 20/12/25
Cardiff 1–3 Chelsea - 16/12/25	Man Utd 4–4 Bournemouth - 15/12/25
Chelsea 2–0 Everton - 13/12/25	Bournemouth 0–0 Chelsea - 06/12/25
Atalanta 2–1 Chelsea - 09/12/25	Bournemouth 0–1 Everton - 02/12/25

How to Watch Chelsea vs. Bournemouth on TV

Country	TV Channel/Live Stream
United Kingdom	Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event
United States	USA Network, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com, UNIVERSO, UNIVERSO NOW
Canada	DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada
Mexico	FOX One

MORE: Full list of Premier League broadcasters around the world

Chelsea Team News

Our XI to face Bournemouth. 📋#CFC | #CHEBOU pic.twitter.com/sARloyE72A
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 30, 2025

Bournemouth Team News

In the red corner 💪🍒 pic.twitter.com/skae0zvwdv
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 30, 2025

Chelsea vs. Bournemouth Score Prediction

What looked like a straightforward fixture for Chelsea a month ago now feels far less certain, even with Cole Palmer back and fit.

The outcome will likely hinge on which Chelsea team turns up. If it’s the side that recently beat Liverpool in the Premier League and Barcelona in the Champions League, they should have too much quality for Bournemouth—especially in midfield, where the absence of Tyler Adams is keenly felt.

However, if the Chelsea that lost to Leeds and drew with Newcastle shows up, the Cherries could cause problems, particularly through Antoine Semenyo—arguably the division’s most dangerous winger this season in what could be a farewell game—and young striker Junior Kroupi.

Ultimately, though, the home side should just edge it. Expect a narrow Chelsea victory.