PREM: Chelsea v Bournemouth preview

Chelsea v Bournemouth preview

The Premier League may be new to Maurizio Sarri, but Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is very familiar to the former Napoli man.

The two managers have "exchanged ideas" in recent years, leading the Italian to speak highly of his counterpart with the Cherries.

Chelsea have won all three of their Premier League games so far, but were embarrassed to Bournemouth at home in January.

Sarri is not taking the Blues' bright start to the season to heart just yet, saying: "I'm very happy with nine points in three matches, but I think also the table now is not so important. I think we have the potential to improve more.

"I know him (Howe) very well. I think he's a very interesting young coach. I think he will make a mark in English football in the future. They are very dangerous opponents for us."

Playmaker Cesc Fabregas remains out with a knee injury which limits him to running in the swimming pool at Chelsea's training base.

Sarri said: "He's working in water. We hope that next week he will be able to work on the pitch."

Howe believes Bournemouth's unbeaten start to the season has provided optimism that the Cherries can emulate last season's win at Chelsea.

Howe's side triumphed 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on their last Premier League visit and have recorded two wins and a draw from their three games so far.

"We know how difficult the game's going to be," Howe said. "But we're very keen to keep the momentum from what has been a really positive beginning.

"We've had good games against Chelsea and we've really enjoyed them. They've always been close and that should inspire the players."

Eden Hazard and Mateo Kovacic could start at Stamford Bridge for the first time this season.

Hazard and Kovacic, who is on loan from Real Madrid, made their first starts of the season at Newcastle last week as Chelsea made it three wins from as many league games.

Fabregas remains out with a knee injury and is Chelsea's only injury absentee.

Howe will revert to a more familiar line-up at Stamford Bridge.

Scotland winger Ryan Fraser was the only player to start both last Saturday's draw with Everton and Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory over MK Dons as Howe made 10 changes.

Midfielder Jefferson Lerma and left-back Diego Rico made their debuts in midweek and could feature again, but forward Junior Stanislas (knee) and midfielder Kyle Taylor (muscle problem) remain out and some undisclosed players have knocks from the cup win.