Chelsea and Bournemouth both find themselves in a rough patch as they prepare to face off in a crucial match on December 30, 2025. With Chelsea struggling to find their form and Bournemouth unable to recall their last good result, both teams are eager to end the year on a high note.
In an intriguing tactical approach, Chelsea will feature three centre-backs, with Liam Delap spearheading the attack in hopes of scoring his first Premier League goal for the club. The starting lineup for Chelsea in a 4-2-3-1 formation includes goalkeeper Sánchez, with a defensive lineup of Acheampong, Chalobah, Fofana, and Gusto. The midfield is anchored by Caicedo and captain Enzo, while Estêvão, Palmer, and Garnacho provide support for Delap up front. Substitutes for Chelsea include notable players like Jorgensen and Badiashile.
On the opposite side, Bournemouth fields their eleven with Petrovic in goal and a defensive line comprising Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, and Truffert. The midfield features Tavernier, Scott, Brooks, and Kluivert, supported by Semenyo and Evanilson in attack. Bournemouth’s bench includes Dennis and Araujo among others.
The match is set to kick off at 19:30 GMT (2:30 PM EST; 1:00 AM IST the following day) at Stamford Bridge, where fans can expect clear skies and light winds. The match will be officiated by referee Sam Barrott, with Craig Pawson overseeing VAR.
As both teams aim to close out the year positively, this encounter could prove pivotal for their momentum heading into 2026. Viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports in the UK and on US networks like USA Network and Telemundo, among others.
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge is expected to be charged as fans rally behind their teams in this crucial encounter. With both sides desperate for a breakthrough, the stage is set for an exciting match.