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As it happenedended

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

Mark Critchley,Charlie Doris
Saturday 24 December 2016 14:10 GMT
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Will Michy Batshuayi be given a chance to lead the line against Bournemouth?
Will Michy Batshuayi be given a chance to lead the line against Bournemouth? (Getty)

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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

78mins: Watford are really taking it to Palace now. Capoue switched play beautifully to find Zuniga but his looping ball in was cleared well by Delaney. No one has conceded more late goals in the Premier League than Palace this season. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:08

80mins: Despite Watford's resurgence, Allardyce is still pushing for a debut win. Frazier Campbell comes on for Mathieu Flamini. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:11

83mins: Watford continue to come forward and almost find a winner through Ighalo. The Nigeria international shook off Delaney in the box but couldn't glance his header past Hennessey. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:13

Substitution: Jerome Sinclair comes on Juan Camilo Zuniga. Positive switch from Mazzarri. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:15

87mins: Palace break on Watford quickly and Zaha goes down under the challenge of Britos. However, Clattenburg books the winger for going down too theatrically. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:18

87mins: Palace break on Watford quickly and Zaha goes down under the challenge of Britos. However, Clattenburg books the winger for going down too theatrically. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:18

Will either team find a winner at Vicarage Road?

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:19

90mins: Former Palace midfielder, Guedioura, picks up the ball from long range and volleys low to Hennessey's right but the Wales keeper gets down well to prevent the Algerian. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:21

FT: Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace

Troy Deeney's 100th goal for Watford earned the Hornets a valuable point against Palace in Sam Allardyce's first game as manager. Deeney's spot kick cancelled out Yohan Cabaye's opener and capped a battling second half performance from the Hornets who ended their two game losing streak. 

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:26

Jack de Menezes26 December 2016 14:29

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