Premier League
Oct 28, 2017 5.30pm
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  • Adam Smith 59' yellowcard
  • Simon Francis 88' yellowcard
  • goal Eden Hazard 51'

Team News: Gary Cahill on Chelsea bench

Cahill on Chelsea bench

Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill has been named on the bench for the trip to Bournemouth this evening.

The captain's demotion represents just one change from manager Antonio Conte from the side that came from behind to defeat Watford 4-2 last Saturday, with summer signing Davide Zappacosta earning a recall as a result.

Conte sticks with Pedro, Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard up front against Eddie Howe's side, with Zappacosta coming in on the right wing of the midfield alongside Tiemoue Bakayoko, Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Alonso.

Cesar Azpilicueta drops down to play on the right of the back three, with David Luiz in the centre, Antonio Rudiger on the left and Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.

Among Conte's options on the bench is Danny Drinkwater, who finally made his Blues debut in the 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Everton on Wednesday after two months out with a calf injury.

As for the hosts, Howe makes two changes following the 2-1 victory at Stoke City in the league a week ago and switches to a 3-4-1-2 formation against the reigning Premier League champions.

Lys Mousset and Jordon Ibe are the men to make way, with Jermain Defoe recovering from a hamstring injury to partner Benik Afobe up front.

Junior Stanislas will serve as supplier for the front two, with Adam Smith, Lewis Cook, Andrew Surman and Charlie Daniels working the midfield.

Steve Cook comes back into the fold, operating to the left of Simon Francis and Nathan Ake, while Asmir Begovic remains in place between the posts.

Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, Ake, Cook; Smith, L Cook, Surman, Daniels; Stanislas; Defoe, Afobe Subs: Boruc, Gosling, Arter, Pugh, Ibe, Mousset, Wilson

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Morata, Hazard Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Christensen, Ampadu, Drinkwater, Willian, Batshuayi

Keep up with all of the action from the south coast this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

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