AFCB Vital Match Zone

Chelsea visit – Will we be talking about the game or technology?

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Written by billythekid

Last weekend’s VAR decisions were game-changers. Even neutral commentators were surprised at the decisions. But we have to move on and consign this unfortunate game to the history books and face Chelsea at Dean Court. This will be a really tough game for AFCB, but our team have won their last two home games and will have the home fans behind them. We also looked good and sharp in the first half at Burnley and with better finishing could have had two early goals.

Frank Lampard has done a good job since being installed as manager at the start of the season. There was speculation in January that Chelsea were hoping to bring some new players in now their transfer ban had been lifted. But that failed to materialise with clubs reluctant to let players go at that time of the season.

Since our meeting and win at Stamford Bridge in December, Chelsea were in fourth place, the spot they still hold going into our game. They won their next two away games against fellow London clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal. Chelsea did lose a home game in between the away games, against Southampton. They then drew at Brighton, before beating Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea then travelled up to the North East to play Newcastle United and came away without any points. The next two games both ended in draws, at home against Arsenal and away at Leicester. The next two games were at home, first losing against Manchester United, before beating Tottenham in their most recent game. This season so far Chelsea’s away record has been better than at home. They sit in fourth place in the away table, two points more and played one game less than their home record at Stamford Bridge.

AFCB’s away record against Chelsea in the Premier League is better than at Dean Court. The Cherries have beaten Chelsea once at home and that was a 4-0 win last season. Otherwise, Chelsea have won three of the four games played. At Stamford Bridge AFCB have won three out of the five games, Chelsea winning the other two.
In all league games at Dean Court, AFCB have Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 3. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 5 and Lost 10.

AFCB Team News
Hopefully, the team will have Nathan Ake and Jefferson Lerma back. Otherwise, except for those, we know about there has been no new injuries reported from the Burnley game.

AFCB Player To Watch
Josh King, looked sharp after return from injury and unlucky to have his goal chalked off at Burnley. We have badly missed King.

Chelsea Team News
N’Golo Kante is out with a groin injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi has been out with a hamstring injury.
Christian Pulisic has a groin injury. Marco van Ginkel, out with a long term anterior cruciate ligament injury. After Chelsea’s home defeat against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, Tammy Abraham who came on as a substitute went down injured but continued playing until the end. It seems in the post-match warm down he limped off early. He may be a doubt now for Saturday.

Chelsea Player To Watch
If he plays, Tammy Abraham, 22-years-old and has made a big impression in this league, just back from injury and has 13 goals and 3 assists to his name. Experienced Olivier Giroud started in their last two games, against Spurs and Bayern Munich, he scored against Spurs and was MOM. So will be interesting who starts up front on Saturday. 21-year-old Mason Mount in midfield also had a good game against Spurs and has scored 5 goals and has 4 assists this season, another young player doing well. He also played in the Tuesday night game.

Andre Marriner is the referee.

He was the referee for the home game against Man City earlier this season.

Paul Tierney on VAR

Your say…

Red_till_im_ded said…

The problem is we all know that before a game kicks off there will be some sort of controversy. Saturday will be no different. I have absolutely no faith or confidence in either the on-field referee or the TV referee when it comes to making correct decisions. Both Tierney and Marriner have the capability of making mind-boggling Ricketts. Add to that the fact we have a self confesses Villa supporter as the referee what are we expecting. – Join the conversation, click here.

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DJ

Up The Cherries!

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