Chelsea Eyes Fifth Place In Premier League: A Remarkable Season's End

Finishing fifth in the Premier League would be a significant achievement for Chelsea, according to Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues have secured five consecutive wins, positioning themselves well for a European spot. Currently sixth, Chelsea will face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A win, coupled with a Tottenham loss to Sheffield United, would see them finish fifth. However, a loss could see them overtaken by Newcastle United if the Magpies beat Brentford.

"It's really important for us to finish in the way we are doing now, with the confidence and the way we are playing in the last few months," Pochettino said. "It's really important for the team, players, and club to achieve one of the objectives, to play in Europe next season. If we end up fifth, it'll be significant for us. We need to do our job then see what's going on. It's going to be a really tough game because Bournemouth are doing so well. Andoni Iraola is doing a good job but most important is to finish well and see if we have the chance to get the place [in Europe]."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been nominated for the Premier League's Manager of the Season award and recently signed a contract extension. Reflecting on his decision to extend his terms, Iraola said, "I think it was quite fast and quite easy. We started talking and with managers I don't feel it's so important, a contract, as with players. In the end, managers have to perform well; you have to keep winning games. Otherwise, you are going to be in trouble; it doesn't matter the contract you have."

Iraola added, "I think it is more a matter of renewing the confidence. It has been our first season together. I am happy that everyone is in a good place and we can continue working together."

Chelsea - Cole Palmer

Palmer has scored 14 goals in his last nine Premier League home games for Chelsea. Overall, he has netted 16 times at Stamford Bridge this term, with no player ever scoring more home goals for the Blues in a single campaign.

Bournemouth - Dominic Solanke

Solanke has scored the most goals (19), the most home goals (10), and the joint-most away goals (nine) of any Bournemouth player in a single Premier League campaign.

Match Prediction: Chelsea Win

Bournemouth's 13 wins in the Premier League this term is their joint-most in a single season (level with 2018-19), while their 15 defeats are their fewest across a single top-flight campaign. Since January, only the Premier League's top-three teams have picked up more points than Chelsea (38 - W11 D5 L3). They are looking to win five games in a row for the first time since January-March 2022 under Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea have won nine of their last 11 Premier League home games (D1 L1), having won just one of their previous 14 at Stamford Bridge beforehand. The Blues have won their last three by an aggregate score of 13-0, last winning more in a row at home without conceding between November and January in 2014-15 (five). The Blues are unbeaten in four Premier League games against Bournemouth (W2 D2), having lost three of their four against them before this (W1).

Opta Win Probability