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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Your support makes all the difference.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
HT: Watford 0-1 Crystal Palace
Palace go in at the break with a deserved lead following Yohan Cabaye's clinical finish midway through the first half. The away side have enjoyed the bulk of possession and the better chances at Vicarage Road with Cabaye and Benteke also going close either side of the opener. The Hornets have struggled to get into the game after losing the injured Valon Behrami and Daryl Janmaat early on and will need to improve considerably if they are to end their losing run this afternoon.
Positive impact from Big Sam: The introduction of Allardyce to the Palace dugout seems to be having the desired effect so far. Townsend and Cabaye looked back to their best during the first half, playing with the confidence which they seemed to lack under Alan Pardew. As the second half goes on it'll be interesting to see how the leaky Eagles defence copes with Watford's efforts to get back into the game.
BAD LUCK: The injuries of Behrami and Janmaat in the first half took Watford's injury count up to 36 for the season. They only accumulated 28 throughout the whole of last season.
49mins: Positive start from Watford. Zuniga and Guedioura link up well on the left flank before the latter is hauled down cynically by Dann. Much better from the home side.
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