Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

A red-hot Chelsea conclude their 2023/24 season at home to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino's debut campaign has ultimately disappointed but Blues supporters are poised to head into the summer laden with optimism given the club's strong end to the campaign. Chelsea are unbeaten in five games since being thrashed 5-0 at Arsenal in April and have won their last four.

Pochettino's Blues are finally beginning to purr and could yet finish fifth in the table. Victory over the Cherries on Sunday combined with a Sheffield United triumph over Tottenham would see the Blues leapfrog their bitter London rivals.

Such a scenario is unlikely, although they'll be expected to overcome a Bournemouth side that have struggled against the league's best away from home this term. The Cherries recovered from a dreadful start to the Andoni Iraola era and are poised for a respectable mid-table finish.

With little on the line, their conclusion to the season has been patchy, losing their last two games. Bournemouth will be aiming for a statement away win to round off what's been a season of promise on the south coast.

Here's 90min's preview of Sunday's final day clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Chelsea vs Bournemouth on TV and live stream

Chelsea team news

James was sent off at Brighton / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Reece James' red card at Brighton means he'll miss Sunday's game and the start of the 2024/25 season. Malo Gusto should get the nod at right-back.

Chelsea will also be without Enzo Fernandez, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana. Carney Chukwuemeka is also unlikely to feature, while Mykhailo Mudryk will play no part due to a head injury.

Christopher Nkunku could get a start after scoring off the bench in midweek.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Nkunku, Sterling; Jackson.

Bournemouth team news

Sinisterra is set to miss out again with a hamstring injury / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Luis Sinisterra has been out for the past month with a hamstring injury and the winger isn't expected to make his comeback on the final day.

Iraola will also be without Ryan Fredericks, while fringe defender Chris Mepham is a doubt due to illness.

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Chelsea

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Scott, Cook; Semenyo, Christie, Kluivert; Solanke.

Pochettino's Blues are purring and, although Bournemouth have lost back-to-back games, Sunday's game should be a fun one at the Bridge.

While Chelsea could yet finish fifth and thus have something to play for, it's bound to be a relaxed atmosphere in west London and the absence of pressure could lead to a few goals.

Pressing will be rife and there should be quality on display in both final thirds given the goal-getters each team boasts. Bournemouth will certainly make this competitive, but a red-hot Chelsea will eventually have too much.