The 2026/27 Premier League campaign is right around the corner. Arsenal are aiming to defend their title, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all trying to take it.
For AFC Bournemouth, it’s a season like no other. Andoni Iraola has left the Cherries and taken over at Liverpool, whilst Marco Rose is entering his first season in English management, bringing his experience of European football to the south coast.
For the first time in 127 years of football, the Cherries will enjoy a European campaign, entering the UEFA Europa League. That draw will take place in August, so first up, plan your calendars around the domestic campaign.
When do AFC Bournemouth meet Chelsea?
Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth – Saturday 10th October 2026*
AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea – Sunday 23rd May 2027*
How far do the Dean Court faithful have to travel?
Distance to the 40,044-capacity Stamford Bridge from Dean Court? 103 miles via M3 and M4.
What happened last time out?
30 December 2025 – Having played out a scoreless draw at Dean Court just a few weeks earlier, this match was not lacking in goals or drama.
Within five minutes the Cherries were ahead when David Brooks opened the scoring, only for Cole Palmer to equalise from the spot just ten minutes later.
Just eight minutes later, Chelsea had turned the game on its head with the home side leading through Enzo Fernández. Incredably, just four minutes later and the Cherries were level again through Justin Kluivert.
Four goals coming in a crazy 20-minute spell.
This game also included a non-penalty decision that was later concluded by PGMO as incorrect, confirming that AFC Bournemouth had actually been robbed of all three points.
Head to Head Record
Games won: 5
Games drawn: 5
Games lost: 15
Has anything changed at Chelsea?
Another season, another four managers (and one had two goes at it). At this point, it’s hard to know who has more leaders, Chelsea or the government.
Since the above game, which was less than six months ago, Enzo Maresca, Calum McFarlane (twice), Liam Rosenior and now Xabi Alonso have all been named as Chelsea manager.
Xabi Alonso comes with a brief, but pretty successful CV. Following a spell with Segunda División B club Real Sociedad B he was appointed as the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen.
His side enjoyed a dominant season in Germany, winning the Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup and reaching the final of the UEFA Europa League.
One season later, he left to become head coach of Real Madrid, where he had previously enjoyed a successful five-year period as a player. Still, despite a win percentage of over 70%, 6 defeats in 34 games saw his period in charge end after just 7 months.
On the pitch and early transfer window moves have seen Marc Cucurella join Real Madrid.
Transfermarkt value comparison (as of 24th June 2026)
AFC Bournemouth – €565.70m
Chelsea – €1.11bn
Prediction for Chelsea this season?
Always a difficult club to predict and Xabi Alonso appears to also be a head coach who is hard to predict.
If Xabi Alonso can find the Midas touch that he enjoyed in Germany, then Chelsea should be challenging for UEFA Champions League qualification next season.
Even a record that saw him as a failure at Real Madrid, would be enough to see him in contention for Europe.
Chelsea fans will be hoping for a period of stability and Xabi Alonso does have the potential to provide this, if he hangs around long enough.
* Fixtures are subject to change due to broadcast selection from Sky Sports and TNT Sport.European fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League can also see many games moved to the Sunday 2pm slot.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…