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How Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Bournemouth, Sports Mole looks at how the Blues could line up at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea head into their Premier League encounter with Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon looking to strengthen their hold of fourth place.

While the Blues remain five points clear of Manchester United, Frank Lampard has watched his side lose three of their last four matches in the top flight.

With his players having taken part in a gruelling schedule of late, Lampard must decide whether to make any alterations to his first XI.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how the West Londoners may line up for the meeting with the Cherries.



CHEXI VS. BOU

Out: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles)
Doubtful: Fikayo Tomori (hip), Olivier Giroud (ankle),

> Click here for Chelsea's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Having dropped down to the substitutes' bench for the Champions League contest with Lille on Tuesday night, Mason Mount could be handed a recall.

The England international could potentially take the place of Mateo Kovacic, who is the only Chelsea midfielder not to be handed a rest by his manager.

Barring any fitness issues after his first start of the season, Antonio Rudiger will line up in the centre of the defence, possibly alongside Kurt Zouma.

However, Reece James may be brought into the team at right-back, leaving either Cesar Azpilicueta or Emerson Palmieri to drop down to the replacements.

While Callum Hudson-Odoi is pushing for a start ahead of either Christian Pulisic or Willian, it would come as a surprise if the academy graduate gets the nod this weekend.

Tammy Abraham should also retain his spot in the team ahead of Michy Batshuayi after being rested for the final 20 minutes in midweek.

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Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori pictured on November 5, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17161042142849
2Leicester CityLeicester17123240112939
3Manchester CityMan City17112447192835
4Chelsea179263125629
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs177553224826
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd176742620625
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8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves175932421324
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11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle176471724-722
12Burnley176382229-721
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton165472024-419
14Bournemouth175481924-519
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham175481928-919
16Everton175392029-918
17Aston Villa1743102330-715
18Southampton1743101836-1815
19Norwich CityNorwich1733111835-1712
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