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Chelsea will continue to build on our recent resurgence with what should be an easy win against newly promoted AFC Bournemouth. And not just newly promoted: this is, in fact, the Cherries' first ever season in the top flight. It's also our first match against a promoted team this season, putting our 43-match unbeaten streak (at the Bridge) against such opponents to the test. Not since April 2001 and Charlton Athletic have Chelsea lost at home to Premier League newcomers.
Of course, not many things have gone the way they should have gone so far this season. But it's starting to feel like we've turned a corner, and while a win last weekend would've been fantastic, at least we didn't lose. Once you adjust your expectations, it's almost palatable!
Just win, baby.
Date / Time: Saturday, December 5, 2015, 17:30 GMT; 12:30pm EST; 11pm IST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Mike Jones — the referee most likely to be confused for a subpar rapper, this will be Mike Jones's 12th Chelsea match. In his 11th, he sent Cesc Fàbregas off for pinging a West Brom player in the head with a ball. Still hilarious.
Forecast: Cloudy and windy but fairly mild.
On TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK); NBC, NBC Universo (USA); Star Sports 4 / HD 4 (India); elsewhere
Streaming online: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports Live Extra; NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (USA); Star Sports (India)
Chelsea team news: It turns out Mourinho was being a bit grandiose when he claimed that everyone would be available for this match. The Doctor lies, I suppose. Ramires, John Terry, and Radamel Falcao will once again be out of contention. But, Thibaut Courtois is indeed set to make his comeback (at least on the bench), so Mourinho did get 1 out 4. Loïc Rémy will also be available again after missing last weekend's 0-0 draw with Spurs (new baby is more important, or some such silliness).
Bournemouth team news: Goalkeepers are big news for Eddie Howe's side as well, but not in a good way, as both Artur Boruc and Adam Federici are injury doubts for this afternoon. They've even had to recall a youth loanee to ensure that they have enough numbers, should both miss out. Ryan Allsop, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute last weekend is currently set to start.
The two goalkeepers comprise just 20% of their league leading 10-man injury list, which includes former Fantasy Premier League darling Callum Wilson, Chelsea loanee and seemingly always injured Christian Atsu, and a whole host of others like club captain Tommy Elphick, Tyrone "better than John Stones" Mings and Max "good enough for Chelsea" Gradel.
After a good start to the season, Bournemouth are riding a 9-match winless streak, including back-to-back 5-1 defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham in October. They have however drawn two in a row, including last weekend's outing at Goodison Park (3-3).
Previously: The Blues and the Cherries have met just five times in competitive action over the years, Chelsea winning the most recent four, the last coming in the League Cup in 1994. The one and only time the two have met in league play at Stamford Bridge was back in 1989, in the old Division 2, Chelsea winning 2-0 en route to a promotion.