Chelsea return to Premier League action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday against a Bournemouth side yet to win in the league, looking to end a run of three games without a win.
Xabi Alonso’s side are 10th on seven points, with Bournemouth 17th on three. Chelsea have conceded at least two goals in every league game this season, 12 in total, the most in the division.
Chelsea team news
Jamie Gittens is the one player Alonso ruled out, saying the winger’s ankle injury, sustained on England Under-21 duty, will keep him out for a few weeks. Moises Caicedo, whose calf problem has limited him to 14 minutes this season, is “ready to go”, Alonso said.
Reece James, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Marco Palestra have also been training and are ready, with Palmer and Pedro having withdrawn from international duty and James having missed England selection through injury. Emmanuel Emegha, who has yet to make his Chelsea debut because of a pre-season hamstring injury, has been seen back in training.
Alonso has used both a back three and a back four this season, and the shape is open after three weeks without a club game. A back three of Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill is in front of Emiliano Martinez in the predicted side, with Pedro Neto and Pep Chavarria as wing-backs. Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson are the predicted midfield pairing, and Cole Palmer is expected to support Morgan Rogers behind Danny Welbeck.
Chelsea predicted lineup
Chelsea possible starting XI: Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Lavia, Henderson, Chavarria; Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
How to watch Chelsea vs Bournemouth?
This fixture kicks off at 3pm on a Saturday and is not being shown live on television in the United Kingdom under the traditional broadcast blackout.
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