Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth to be shown on Sky Sports As They Battle with Injury Crisis This Morning
CHERRIES’ final Premier League game of the 2023/24 season has been selected for television coverage, with AFC Bournemouth set to face Chelsea in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Andoni Iraola’s charges travel to London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with kick-off at 4pm.
As all matches on the final day must be played simultaneously, neither kick-off nor the date has been changed.
Cherries enter the final day with a chance of securing a top half finish.
Currently 11th placed, Cherries are level on points with 10th placed Brighton & Hove Albion on 48 points after 37 games.
As such, Cherries must better Brighton’s result against Manchester United on the final day.
However, that might not be enough, as either Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace could overhaul Cherries with victories.
Cherries are guaranteed to finish in at least 13th place.
Adams has endured a wretched debut campaign at Cherries, featuring just four times since joining for around £23million from Leeds United.
Hamstring issues have been the midfielder’s biggest setback, until his recent absence due to back spasms.
The 25-year-old came off the bench on Saturday to play the closing stages of the 2-1 home defeat to Brentford, the first time the USA international has been on the losing side for Cherries.
Adams will hope to get more minutes in Cherries’ final Premier League game of the season on Sunday, away at Chelsea (4pm).
Then, he will be waiting on a call from his national team to travel to the Copa America next month, with Gregg Berhalter’s men drawn in a group alongside Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay.
Discussing the fitness of Adams, Iraola said: “I think it’s important he feels confident.
“It is difficult, because he has been out for so long, he needs slowly to get building and get the confidence on his body.
“We will try to help him.
“He also has the Copa America at the end of the season, which probably is good for him, he keeps growing and positions himself for the pre-season in the best way.”
The Cherries reluctantly agreed to allow the Welsh international to sign on loan at St Mary’s in January to get regular match minutes.
Russell Martin’s side are two wins away from returning to the Premier League with their Championship playoff semi-final on a knife edge.
Brooks could play a key role but is set to return to Bournemouth once the campaign is finished, as Iroala reaffirmed this week.
Asked if that was still the plan, he told our colleagues at the Bournemouth Daily Echo: “Yes, no change at all.
“I hope he finishes strong, he can get promoted and be very important for his club now. He will try definitely but he will come back after the summer.
“I have always said it, Brooksy is a very good player. I rate him very highly, but it was a matter of him wanting to play more minutes.
