Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Match Report

11:55

Chelsea beat Bournemouth to set club record for 12 straight wins.

Chelsea beat Bournemouth to set a new club record and extend their lead by 9 points at Stamford Bridge.

Two goals from Pedro Rodriguez and one from Eden Hazard sealed the points for the Blues as they showed no sign of missing striker Diego Costa who was suspended alongside midfielder N'Golo Kante.

The win moves Conte's side 7 points clear of second placed Manchester City while Liverpool host Stoke City on Tuesday. Chelsea are now just 2 victories away from matching the League record of straight victories set by Arsenal across the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

After taking time to find their shape, Hazard found Cesc Fabregas and fed Pedro who curled it with his left from the edge of the box and opened the scoring for the Blues.

Jack Wilshere was a lively presence for the visitors and took on Gary Cahill in the Chelsea box before forcing Courtois into a smart save. The on-loan midfielder had then a volley blocked.

Chelsea's second came four minutes into the second half when Simon Francis stuck out a leg and tripped Hazard in the Bournemouth box. The Belgian then sent Boruc to the wrong side to bring up his half-century in England.

Hazard shot his next wide with Pedro lurking. Willian forced Boruc to save smartly and Victor Moses shot wide. But it was not one way as Courtois saved from substitute Benik Afobe.

Conte called Courtois to kick the ball out so he could take off Hazard to give him a rousing reception and to send in Batshuayi. But he had to wait as Courtois failed to find his touch and Pedro netted a deflected goal on the break.

Match Facts-

                          CHE                                                                    BOU
                                                                                        
                                    44 %                        Possession                          56%

                                   14(4)                       Shots(on goal)                     7(3)

                                   13                           Fouls                                   14

                                   1                             Yellow Cards                        1

                                   0                             Red Cards                            0

                                  1                             Off-sides                               1

                                  5                            Corners                                 5

                                 3                             Saves                                    2


Chelsea vs Bournemouth - Match Preview

17:42

Premier League leaders will be facing Bournemouth as their opponents in the traditional Boxing Day match. Chelsea has a 11 match winning streak in the league and have won their last 3 matches by only a goal difference, but that doesn't mean that it will not give them 3 points and lead Liverpool by 6 points who face Stoke City tomorrow. Bournemouth on the other hand, have lost 3 and won 2 out of their last 5 and the victories were against Liverpool and Leicester - 4-3 and 1-0 respectively. 


Chelsea will be without their star striker, Diego Costa and N' Golo Kante who are facing one-match suspension. So Chelsea would rather play Michy Batshuayi in place of Costa or can try 3-4-3 formation. Captain John Terry still remains out due to a gluteal strain. 

Junior Stanislas and Andrew Surman can start for Bournemouth. Stanislas who has not started since the beginning of the month due to an ankle problem and Surman due to a hamstring. Lewis Cook remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. Bournemouth's manager Eddie Howe is confident about a positive result and says that " Results like [the 4-3 win against Liverpool], just reaffirm the idea about beating anyone." 

So my prediction for this match is that Chelsea should win easily even if Diego Costa is not available they have the potential to beat a team like Bournemouth. 


Transfer Talk

21:13


Valencia target Rojo.

Valencia have launched a bid for Manchester United defender Marcus Rojo and are hopeful to get the Argentinian under their cover at 14 million euros. Source: Daily Mirror.


Koeman eyes Barkley for Sissoko.

Ronald Koeman has run out of patience with Ross Barkley and is ready to swap him with Moussa Sissoko by offering Tottenham a swap deal. Source: Daily Mirror.


Rooney to be offered 700k- pounds a week.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been offered a 700k pounds per week deal by Chinese club, Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande both interested. Source: Daily Mirror. 


Tevez set to leave Boca to big-money Chinese Super League.

Carlos Tevez is all set to leave his boyhood club Boca Juniors by joining Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. The 32-year old is expected to announce his 84-million euro deal with the club who are already being coached by former Uruguay midfielder Gus Poyet. Source: Marca.


Kroos and Rakitic on Juve radar.

Juventus have got German midfielder, Toni Kroos on their radar and are willing to pay 60-million euro for him. If the club can't sign Kroos they can go after Rakitic or Marco Verratti. Source: Tuttosports. 


West Ham plan Defoe bid.

West Ham are set to offer 7-million euro to Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe to solve their crisis up front. Source: The Sun.


Julian Draxler set to join PSG from Wolfsburg in reported 46-million euros.

The German attacking midfielder has reportedly signed for PSG in a 46-million euro deal from Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg say that the 23-year old has signed for a four and a half year deal with the French giants. Source: The Guardian.






Manchester United vs Sunderland - Match Preview

11:26

So it's United against Sunderland on the Boxing Day. United have been unbeaten in their last 5 league games, winning 3 and drawing 2 and they were beaten the last time by Fenerbahce 2-1 in Europa League. Sunderland on the other side, have lost 3 and won 2 out of their last 5. So clearly from this point, United have the upper hand.

And Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly can feature in the starting line-up for United with Luke Shaw as the only absentee who is out with a groin strain. Of course, United will get a boost if Mkhitaryan and Bailly both are fit to play. The Armenian Magician has been quiet impressive whenever he has started a game, so he can be very useful again vs Sunderland.

Adnan Januzaj will be missing the match as he is ineligible under the terms of loan agreement and will join Jan Kirchhoff who has undergone surgery for a knee cartilage injury which will, most probably keep him out for 12 weeks.

Defenders Billy Jones (hip injury) and Javier Manquillo (hamstring) and midfielder Steven Pienaar (calf injury) have returned to training, but Lee Cattermole (hip injury), Paddy McNair and Duncan Watmore both knee injury, Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Lynden Gooch (ankle) are still out. So here also United will be getting the upper hand and for me are the favorites to win this game at Old Trafford. 


Transfer Talk

20:47


Guardiola wants Sanchez and Griezmann.

Pep Guardiola wants both Griezmann and Sanchez and is keen to invest in the summer heavily in summer with both on his list. Sources: Manchester Evening News.


Chelsea drop James Rodriguez.

Chelsea have drop their interest in James Rodriguez as they feel that the Colombian is over-valued. Source: The Sun.


Jese accepts Las Palmas loan.

The PSG forward has accepted a loan offer from the Spanish club, Las Palmas despite another offer from AC Milan. Source: Cadena SER.


Valencia signs new Man Utd deal.

Antonio Valencia has signed a new two-year deal with Jose Mourinho after impressing the Portuguese this season. Source: The Sun.


PSG confident in luring Wenger to Paris.

The French giants are looking to replace Unai Emery, and have targeted the Arsenal boss as a successor for Emery at Parc des Princes. Source: The Sun.


Manchester United looking to beat Arsenal for Payet.

Jose Mourinho plans to beat Arsenal to bring The Hammers' star Dimirti Payet to Old Trafford. Payet's future is in doubt, with Steven Bilic's men battling relegation this season. Source: Daily Star.




La Liga Fixtures - Week 17

20:01



Saturday, 7 January
Espanyol
1:15 AM
Deportivo
Real Madrid
5:30 PM
Granada
Eibar
8:45 PM
Atlético Madrid
Celta Vigo
11:00 PM
Málaga
Sunday, 8 January
Real Sociedad
1:15 AM
Sevilla
Ath. Bilbao
4:30 PM
Alavés
Real Betis
8:45 PM
Leganes
Las Palmas
11:00 PM
Sporting
Monday, 9 January
Villarreal
1:15 AM
Barcelona
Tuesday, 10 January
Osasuna
1:15 AM
Valencia
All times are in India Standard Time

EPL Fixtures - Week 18

19:54






Monday, 26 December
Watford
6:00 PM
Crystal Palace
Arsenal
8:30 PM
West Brom
Burnley FC
8:30 PM
Middlesbrough
Swansea City
8:30 PM
West Ham
Man United
8:30 PM
Sunderland
Chelsea
8:30 PM
Bournemouth
Leicester City
8:30 PM
Everton
Hull City
10:45 PM
Man. City
Tuesday, 27 December
Liverpool
10:45 PM
Stoke City
Thursday, 29 December
Southampton
1:15 AM
Tottenham
All times are in India Standard Time

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