Chelsea vs Bournemouth live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge
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Chelsea have the chance to restore their nine-point lead over the rest of the Premier League when they take on Bournemouth on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge, with Manchester City not playing until the evening kick-off and Liverpool in action on Tuesday night. Antonio Conte's side are on an impressive 11-match winning streak in the league, but face their toughest test yet as both Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante are ruled out of today's match through suspension. Bournemouth meanwhile sit tenth in the Premier League table and can move ahead of both West Bromwich Albion and Everton if they secure a surprise victory.
Follow the live action below...
It’s a big game for…
Marcos Alonso: The marauding wing-back has impressed many since arriving at Chelsea from Fiorentina and is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment.
Best stat…
51: Diego Costa has been involved in 51 per cent of Chelsea’s goals this season, but he’ll be missing on Boxing Day through suspension.
Remember when…
Last season, Glenn Murray’s late header piled misery on Jose Mourinho’s beleaguered Chelsea.
Player to watch…
Michy Batshuayi: It remains to be seen whether, in Costa’s absence, Chelsea’s only other recognised striker will make his first Premier League start of the season.
Antonio Conte suggested that Batshuayi is not yet ‘ready’ for the rigours of the Premier League. So, if he does not play, who will lead the line in his place?
Past three-meetings…
Bournemouth 1 (Elphick) Chelsea 4 (Pedro, Hazard 2, Willian)
Premier League, April 2016
Chelsea 0 Bournemouth 1 (Murray)
Premier League, December 2015
Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1 (Peacock)
League Cup, October 1994
Form guide…
Chelsea: WWWWW
Bournemouth: LWLWL
Vital information…
Kick-off time: 3.00pm
TV: Highlights on BBC One, 10.55pm
3mins: City have started shakily in defence as Hull look to press as high up the pitch as possible early on. Clichy and Stones have already been lucky to get away with complacent touches.
7mins: City settle quickly and begin to zip the ball throughout their midfield. De Bruyne wins a free-kick and Toure forces a good save from McGregor with a decent effort from distance.
11mins: Hull may not the favourites in this one but they certainly have enough to get at Manchester City. Snodgrass is looking to get beyond Mbokani and run between Stones and Otamendi at every opportunity.
15mins: Lucky break for Hull. De Bruyne is causing problems on the left flank and his cross finds Silva in space on the edge of the area, but the Spaniard's goal bound volley hits a Hull defender and bounces clear.
20mins: Sterling looks to be most advanced City player and his runs beyond the Hull back three are causing problems. Silva drives into space moments later but his tame effort rolls straight at McGregor.
23mins: Much better from Hull. Following some good work from Snodgrass on the right wing, Livermore picks up the ball, beats Fernandinho, and fires a long range effort straight at Bravo.
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