Bournemouth thrash Chelsea in dominant display

Pedro gets on the ball for Chelsea (AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The visitors suffered a chastening 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out in the league and an inconsistent run, coupled with Man United’s superb winning streak, has left the Blues only three points clear of Arsenal and United in fourth and clinging nervously to the final Champions League spot.

Fresh from his loan move, Gonzalo Higuain made his debut in Chelsea’s 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday and manager Maurizio Sarri will be hoping the Argentine can hit the ground running to fire the Blues back into the Champions League next season. Follow it live:

What time does it start?

Bournemouth vs Chelsea kicks off at 7.45pm.

Where can I watch it?

The match will not be shown live in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.45pm on BBC One.

It’s a big game for…

Nathan Ake: The Dutch Bournemouth centre-back faces his former club amid rumours that Chelsea are looking to re-sign the defender after an impressive spell at the south coast club.

Best stat…

0: There has never been a draw in any previous meeting between the two sides in all competitions spanning 14 fixtures.

Remember when…

Eden Hazard scored a dramatic late winner for Chelsea against Bournemouth earlier this season in their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

Player to watch…

Kepa Arrizabalaga: The world’s most expensive goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant penalty save in his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg success and the Spaniard has quietly impressed this season with his shot stopping as well as his maturity in net.

Kepa has been in impressive form for Chelsea (Getty Images)

Past three-meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Hazard) Bournemouth 0, Carabao Cup, December 2018

Chelsea 2 (Pedro, Hazard) Bournemouth 0, Premier League, September 2018

Chelsea 0 Bournemouth 3 (Wilson, Stanislas, Ake), Premier League, January 2018

Form guide…

Bournemouth: LLDLLW

Chelsea: WLWLWW

Odds…

Bournemouth to win: 9/2

Chelsea to win: 4/6

Draw: 16/5

(Odds provided by Betfair)

[30 January 2019 17:27 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Michael will be here shortly with all the build-up and team news ahead of tonight's games. In the meantime here is the latest from the transfer window as the deadline nears:

[30 January 2019 18:41 · Michael Jones]

We've got four Premier League games in action tonight. First up for a 7.45pm kick off Chelsea travel to Bournemouth and Southampton host Crystal Palace.

Then at 8pm Liverpool look to extend their lead at the top of the table as they face Leicester and Tottenham welcome Watford.

Team news shortly...

[30 January 2019 18:46 · Michael Jones]

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Team news

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[30 January 2019 18:50 · Michael Jones]

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Team news

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[30 January 2019 18:54 · Michael Jones]

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Team news

Gonzalo Higuain makes his first Premier League appearance for Chelsea.

New signings Dominic Solanke and Chris Mepham make the bench for Bournemouth but Callum Wilson is left out of the squad. 

[30 January 2019 18:57 · Michael Jones]

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Team news

Southampton are unchanged from their last match vs Everton.

Wilfried Zaha makes his 150th Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace. 

[30 January 2019 19:02 · Michael Jones]

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Team news

Bournemouth make two changes to the side that defeated West Ham in their last match. Andrew Surman comes back to captain the Cherries and Junior Stanislas also returns. 

Callum Wilson and Jefferson Lerma both drop out of the squad.

Chelsea make seven changes from the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. 

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Eden Hazard, Pedro, David Luiz and Emerson all return while Higuain makes his Premier League debut. 

[30 January 2019 19:03 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool vs Leicester

Team news

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[30 January 2019 19:04 · Michael Jones]

Tottenham vs Watford

Team news​

[30 January 2019 19:08 · Michael Jones]

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Team news

Matt Targett recovers from a knee injury to keep his place in an unchanged Southampton team.

Crystal Palace make one change to the team that lost to Liverpool in their last Premier League game.

Vicente Guaita replaces Julian Speroni in goal as Zaha makes his 150th Premier League appearance for Palace.