After finishing 12th on the English Premier League table last season, bigger things are expected from Chelsea this year and they will get a chance to improve on this season's 12th-place standing when they take on AFC Bournemouth on Sunday. The Blues (1-2-1) have started slow and are coming off their international break following a disappointing 1-0 setback to Nottingham Forest on Sept. 2. Chelsea's lone win so far was a 3-0 triumph over Luton Town on Aug. 25. AFC Bournemouth has yet to find the win column, but have two draws, including a 2-2 result with Brentford on Sept. 2.
The match from Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, will begin at 9 a.m. ET. Chelsea are the -130 favorites (risk $130 to win $100) on the money line, while AFC Bournemouth are the +330 underdogs. A draw will return +280 in the latest AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea odds, and the over/under for total goals is 2.5. Before entering any Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth picks, you'll want to see the EPL predictions from SportsLine's soccer insider Brandt Sutton.
Sutton, a former collegiate soccer player, has been SportsLine's top soccer editor for more than five years. He has followed soccer closely for much longer and factors in managerial tactics, projected lineups and past performances to make the most informed decisions possible, keeping his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Sutton finished 2022 as SportsLine's top soccer expert with a 165-130-2 mark, returning nearly $2,200 for $100 players. He also excelled in Serie A with a 63-39-1 mark, returning nearly $1,600.
Now, Sutton has dialed in on Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth and just revealed his English Premier League picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the EPL odds and trends for AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
- Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth handicap: AFC Bournemouth +0.5 (+110), Chelsea -0.5 (-140)
- Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth over/under: 2.5 goals
- Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth money line: AFC Bournemouth +330, Chelsea -130, Draw +280
- BOU: Has a minus-4 goal differential in English Premier League action
- CHE: Scored five goals in four league matches in 2023-2024
- Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back Chelsea
Helping lead the Blues offense is forward Raheem Sterling. The 28-year-old tops the team with two goals on eight shots, with two being on target. He is in his second season with Chelsea after spending the previous seven seasons with Manchester City. Sterling was among the team leaders in goals in 2022-2023, finding the net six times in 28 appearances. Since turning professional in 2011, he has registered 117 career goals in 352 Premier League appearances for three clubs.
Also helping provide offense is forward Nicolas Jackson. The 22-year-old from Senegal has one goal on 14 shots, including four on target. He is in his first season with the team after playing two seasons for Villarreal in Spain's La Liga. In 26 appearances for Villarreal last season, Jackson scored 12 goals. See picks at SportsLine.
Why you should back AFC Bournemouth
After leading the team in assists with seven last season, forward Dominic Solanke is off to another good start. He leads AFC Bournemouth with two goals and an assist on a team-high 10 shots, including four on target. The 26-year-old scored a goal on three shots, including two on net, in the 2-2 draw at Brentford. In parts of four seasons with AFC Bournemouth, he has registered 11 goals and 10 assists in 55 career starts with the club.
Also back this season is last year's leading scorer in midfielder Philip Billing. The 27-year-old found the net seven times in 36 appearances, including 34 starts, in 2022-2023. He also added an assist and took 36 shots, with 14 landing on target. In four starts this season, he has yet to score a goal, but has taken nine shots, including one on net. See picks at SportsLine.
How to make AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea picks
Sutton has taken an in-depth look at the Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth matchup and locked in his most confident best bet, which returns plus money. You can only get his English Premier League picks at SportsLine.
What is the best bet for Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth? Visit SportsLine now to see the pick from SportsLine's top soccer expert in 2022, and find out.
