AFC Bournemouth welcome Chelsea to Dean Court tomorrow night for the first of two matches against the Blues in December. Andoni Iraola’s side are five without a win in the league, but will be hoping to find something from somewhere to get back to winning ways despite a depleted squad. Here is how I think Iraola will line the team up, followed by a match preview.

GK: Djordje Petrovic

Some Chelsea fans were clamouring for Petrovic to come back and start after such a successful loan at their ‘sister club’ Strasbourg last season. But the big Serb was still not part of Enzo Maresca’s plans, and was sold to AFCB. After a very good start, he has not been at his best as of late, somewhat coinciding with the team’s baron run. There is no better time than now, given all the circumstances, for him to return to his best.

RB: Adam Smith

Alex Jimenez was one of very few positives for the team on Tuesday night, but was out on his feet by the end of the game, struggling with what looked like cramp. He wasn’t mentioned as an injury doubt for this one, but it might be tough for him to start another one in such quick succession, so I think Adam Smith will replace him here.

CBs: Bafode Diakite + Marcos Senesi

Veljko Milosavjlevic is a doubt after feeling discomfort in his knee during the Everton loss, but thankfully Marcos Senesi will be raring to go after missing that game due to suspension. Diakite had one of his more assured games of recent times in midweek, and will need another big performance here if we are to get anything.

LB: Adrien Truffert

Truffert came out after the game and called for unity as the team try and stick together to put an end to this bad run of form. Whether it should have been the summer signing who should have had to rally his troops is debatable, but it was good to see. He start once again here.

DM (‘6’): Alex Scott

Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook are suspended – massive misses at the base of midfield. It will be a struggle to replace them, but I would expect Alex Scott to drop deeper. Some fans have called for Senesi there – with Veljko injured he has no choice but to play CB, but I doubt Senesi has the mobility to work as a ‘6’. James Hill could be another option, but again, might not have the required mobility (or composure on the ball).

CM (‘8’): Marcus Tavernier

It feels controversial picking Tav after the incident against Everton where he gestured towards the fans, with a clear frustration from all parties. Whether that frustration from the fans was aimed at Tavernier or not is another conversation entirely, but he sure felt that it was, hence that reaction. With Scott dropping deeper, Tavernier is the only other player who has played midfield, so I feel he will step into that role again.

AM (’10’): Justin Kluivert

Whilst I think Kluivert will start, he has been a shadow of his former self this season. He seems to still be showing the effects of not having had a pre-season, but he has played lots of minutes now, and still hasn’t looked the same man as last season. He does have the capability of conjuring something out of nothing, and is usually the best in the press, but desperately needs to up his levels.

Wingers: David Brooks + Antoine Semenyo

I expect Brooks to come in for this one, hopefully fresh having sat out in midweek due to suspension. On the other flank, Antoine Semenyo will surely start again, but will be hoping for a better performance than the Everton game. He was kept very quiet, and cut a very frustrated figure towards the end of the game.

ST: Evanilson

Junior Kroupi started through the middle in the week, but there was very little service for the young Frenchman. He did at least have the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. Evanilson came on and showed some nice touches, but again, there was little to no service for the Brazilian. He is in desperate need of a goal, so here’s hoping one trickles in, or something along those lines.

MATCH PREVIEW

The mood around the club going into this game is unfortunately the lowest it has been in a long time. The last win in the Premier League came against Nottingham Forest in October, with some winnable fixtures coming and going since then.

Chelsea have been one of the better sides in the Premier League this season, but after rotating the side on Wednesday night, fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Leeds at Elland Road.

They do remain 4th in the table, and were boosted by the return of Cole Palmer in midweek after a long absence. Whether Palmer would be fit enough to start a game remains to be soon, but even so his involvement in the squad again would be a big lift.

Enzo Maresca will be without Moises Caicedo (suspension), Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia (injury).

AFCB do have Marcos Senesi and David Brooks back from suspension, but Tyler Adams’ 5th booking of the season means he will miss this one. Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak remain out, with Veljko Milosavjlevic a new doubt.

Last season, Andoni Iraola’s side were at their best when they had the least players available. Of course, some of those players have moved on now, but we know this team can pluck out the courage and performance levels to compete with anyone when backs are against the wall.

Perhaps AFCB will fare better tomorrow, by playing a side that won’t sit in a low block. They certainly need to find a better balance in the side than they did on Tuesday night, which might be difficult given the limited options available.

If anyone can get a tune out of the squad from nowhere, it is Iraola, but I can’t say I am particularly confident ahead of this one.

PREDICTION: AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Chelsea