Predicted XI for AFC Bournemouth against Chelsea

Cherries supporters will have a slightly longer wait than other fans, with their game being staged tomorrow at 2pm.

Whilst we wait for more footballing action at Dean Court, we have taken a stab at predicting Andoni Iraola’s starting XI for the clash with the Blues.

Goalkeeper and defence 

Neto won’t look back at the opening Brentford goal in Cherries’ last game with any fondness, but for now it appears the captain will keep his spot in between the sticks.

Already we are starting to see a settled backline under Iraola, especially at full-back. Max Aarons has gotten better and better as the season has gone on, and with Adam Smith and Ryan Fredericks still sidelined, he will almost certainly start.

Milos Kerkez is another to have impressed early into his Cherries career, and whilst the temptation to go slightly more defensive with Lloyd Kelly is there, it is likely the Hungarian will start for a fifth league game in a row.

The return of Kelly after his absence at Brentford is an interesting conundrum. Iraola clearly rates the centre-half, but Illia Zabarnyi and Marcos Senesi have had more time on the pitch together and thus had more chance to build an understanding.

We reckon the Ukrainian and Argentinian will get the nod, but Chris Mepham and Kelly will both be in Iraola’s thoughts.

Central midfield

Tyler Adams could have been a Chelsea player heading into this fixture had the Blues not pulled out of a move at the medical stage, fearing his return from injury to take longer than first thought.

The American captain is almost back training on the grass, but this one comes too soon for him – although he is expected to be back in the coming weeks.

Alex Scott is another summer signing fans are yet to see, but they will likely have to wait even longer.

That makes selecting the midfield positions a tad easier.

Lewis Cook looks to have cemented the number six role as his own, and Philip Billing this week was announced to be in the top five players for distance covered so far in the Premier League.

If both are fit, they will probably take the two deeper central midfield roles, whilst Ryan Christie is quickly becoming entrusted at number 10.

Forwards

The swap deal that saw Luis Sinisterra come in for Jaidon Anthony on a temporary basis further strengthens Cherries’ wing options – and they already had plenty of depth out wide.

Sinisterra’s best work comes out on the left, but with Marcus Tavernier returning to full fitness and the Colombian only training once with his new club, we reckon the latter will get the nod.

David Brooks continued his goalscoring form at international level, so it would be no surprise to see him on the other flank.

Dominic Solanke’s worth to the side was highlighted by a second contract extension in two years, with the talisman almost certainly to lead the line again for Cherries.

Cherries predicted XI: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Billing; Brooks, Christie, Tavernier; Solanke.

Who do you think should start on Sunday? And who do you want to play? Let us know down below.