To get news directly on the go, download the Real Chelsea Fans App

Chelsea are being backed to beat struggling Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, but this is a game that the Blues should not take for granted.

The last time Chelsea met the Cherries was in January under Maurizio Sarri, a game that Chelsea surprisingly lost 4-0. In January 2018, Chelsea were also beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth.

However, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has refused to give any excuses ahead of today’s meeting and insists that the Champions League game on Tuesday shouldn’t be an excuse as well.

Lampard said: “Sometimes it takes a lot out of you so there’s a genuine reason there but we didn’t travel and we played on Tuesday so that’s less of an excuse for us. It really comes down to mentality and you have to understand that if you want to be a big club at this level and play in Europe and fight at the top of the Premier League then these are the little tests – after you’ve had a pretty successful but difficult night to then refocus on the Premier League.

“I didn’t expect us to roll over West Ham. I understand people on the outside might have expected it but similar happened at Everton – we didn’t perform well. If you don’t do the basics then any team in this league can beat you. Bournemouth are having a tough time but no doubt they have talent and ability in their squad to beat us if we’re not at it.

“There’s a long way to go and that’s from our point of view as well with the teams below us just a few points behind. I don’t think we were very fancied at the start of the season and it’s important that we carry on trying to prove people wrong with our performances. The two games we’ve lost recently have been a timely reminder that we’re nowhere near the finished article we want to become.”