Iraola’s team were poor in defeat on Tuesday night against Everton, after a disappointing 3-2 loss at Sunderland, where they squandered a two-goal lead.
Chelsea have been good so far this term, so will present a stern test – and Iraola will hope his side will bounce back.
The Daily Echo previews Saturday’s game at Dean Court.
**Team news**
Iraola will welcome back David Brooks and Marcos Senesi from suspension, but he has lost ever-present Tyler Adams, who picked up his fifth yellow card on Tuesday.
Lewis Cook remains suspended after his red card last weekend, while Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie are both ruled out through injury.
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There were no fresh injury concerns during the game on Tuesday, and Iraola will be hopeful to recover Christie soon and get through the festive period relatively unscathed.
Enzo Maresca will be without Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia through injury, while Moises Caicedo was sent off against Arsenal so is suspended.
Mykhailo Mudryk is currently banned for anti-doping rule violations.
**Head-to-head**
Chelsea have the better record in the games between the two sides and have had the edge in recent seasons.
Across the past three campaigns, they have won four of the six meetings, with the other two ending in draws.
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Last term, the Cherries felt they were the better of the two sides at Dean Court but they were unable to convert their chances and they were punished, a Christopher Nkuku goal four minutes from time the difference.
In the return fixture at Stamford Bridge, Bournemouth trailed 1-0 at halftime, but roared back in the second half, as Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo scored to give the visitors the lead.
But a stoppage time Reece James free kick snatched a point for Chelsea.
**Form**
The Cherries are on a bad run. After only one defeat in nine games at the start of the league campaign, coming on the opening day, they have not tasted victory since.
Their past five games have seen them lose four and draw once, that point coming in a 2-2 draw with West Ham that saw them come from two goals behind.
Iraola’s side were beaten by Manchester City, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Everton, conceding 11 goals in those four.
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The 4-0 thumping by Villa before the international break was followed by the Hammers draw, but the Cherries squandered a two-goal lead at Sunderland and they were poor in defeat against Everton.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have one day fewer rest coming into the game after they played on Wednesday night against Leeds.
In November, the Blues beat Spurs, Wolves and Burnley in the league, before a point at the Bridge last weekend against league leaders Arsenal.
AFC Bournemouth host Chelsea on Saturday, December 6, kick off at 3pm.