Chelsea vs Southampton Preview – Prediction & Potential line-ups

Chelsea will be looking to end their miserable run when they welcome relegation threatened Southampton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. 

The Blues will enter the Premier League clash on the back of a 1-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund in the first-leg of the Champions League round of 16. 

Graham Potter’s men were relatively better at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday but the result was disappointing for them. 

Karim Adeyemi’s second-half goal proved decisive in handing Dortmund the lead in the round of 16 tie. 

The Londoners managed to create several goalscoring opportunities but lack of finishing ultimately let them down. 

Chelsea have won only one top-flight match in the new year while losing two and suffering four draws. 

Southampton, on the other hand, are currently in the midst of a crisis. They sacked Nathan Jones following their 2-1 home loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Despite conceding an early goal and also being reduced to 10-men, Wolves fought back to pick up a memorable victory. 

An own goal from Jan Bednarek restored parity before Joao Gomes netted the winner for the visitors with only three minutes remaining in the game. 

Ruben Selles has been given the temporary charge at the Saints and he will be in the dugout for the trip to Stamford Bridge. 

Match Preview 

Chelsea 

The Blues invested over £300 million in January to sign the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez. But they failed to add an out-and-out striker and that mistake is now costing them dear. 

The Londoners have managed to score only a single goal in their previous three matches in the top-flight. Their total goals record this season stands at 24 – fewer than Aston Villa, Leeds United and Fulham. 

Chelsea fixtures show they will face Tottenham Hotspur following their home clash against the Saints.

Southampton 

The Saints are currently looking for a new manager to succeed Nathan Jones at St. Mary’s Stadium. They looked close to appointing Jesse Marsch but talks have now collapsed and the American will not be taking over the club. 

The Hampshire-based side are currently enduring a miserable run of form in the Premier League. They have won only one of their previous 10 matches and are deservedly at the foot of the table. 

Southampton fixtures show they will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend before travelling to Leeds United for their final fixture this month. 

Chelsea vs Southampton Potential line-ups 

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; James, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez; Madueke, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz

Southampton: Bazunu; Caleta-Car, Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Alcaraz, Perraud; Sulemana, Adams

Chelsea vs Southampton Prediction 

Chelsea slumped to a disappointing 2-1 loss the last time they met Southampton in August in the Premier League. The Saints now have a brilliant opportunity to complete their first league double over the Blues since the 1987-88 campaign. 

But we don’t think they will be able to win over Chelsea on Saturday, even though Graham Potter’s side are not in their best form at the moment. 

Chelsea 1-0 Southampton