Chelsea vs Southampton preview
Chelsea face another tricky test in their title defence when they welcome Southampton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s men are currently in the bottom-half of the table with only two wins from their opening seven games. Chelsea also come into this game off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to FC Porto in the Champions League.
In the Premier League, the Blues have already lost the same amount of games as they did in the course of the entire season last term, and they needed a spirited comeback in the last 18 minutes to prevent an embarrassment at St James’ Park last weekend.
Amid rumours of dressing room unrest, Mourinho has to coax the best out of a largely under-performing squad.
Despite everything going on at Chelsea, the Southampton manager Ronald Koeman retains his utmost respect for the man he once worked with at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal.
Koeman no doubt believes Mourinho can weather this storm, but the Dutch boss will be looking to exploit Chelsea’s current predicament and secure a rare Southampton victory at Stamford Bridge.
Last season, the Saints showed they can get the better of Chelsea. They were among the few teams that avoided a defeat at the Bridge, thanks to a brilliant tactical approach with the pacy Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic threatening during quick counter attacks.
Chelsea team news
- Thibaut Courtois continues his recovery from a knee injury.
- Diego Costa is still suspended.
Southampton team news
- Fraser Forster and Florin Gardos are long-term absentees with knee injuries.
- Jordy Clasie is expected to shake off a niggling ankle problem in time to feature.
Southampton vs Chelsea prediction
Terry could finally return after starting on the bench in the last two games. The Blues skipper could partner Gary Cahill as central defenders, with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas working just in front of the centre-halves in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Pedro has been struggling of late, so Mourinho could replace the Spaniard with the in-form Willian in the right attacking midfield position. Eden Hazard may return to the starting line-up as well. The Belgian midfielder could be the left attacking midfielder, with Oscar working just behind Loic Remy.
Koeman could target Chelsea’s weakness when holding a high defensive line again, with Mane working just behind Graziano Pele as a transitional player and making runs in behind when Southampton counter-attack.
That could see the Saints contain the champions with a 4-4-2 formation and two flat lines of four behind the strikers. Ryan Bertrand has been eased back into the side recently after a spell on the sidelines due to injury, so the ex-Chelsea defender could start at left-back.
The champions may be struggling but at home they usually dominate play and force the issue. The Saints may be happy to concede some territory and engage the Blues with a compact shape from the middle-third.
That means their strikers could allow Chelsea’s central defenders to have the ball, while sitting on Matic and Fabregas, with the other units of defence close by to minimise the space between the lines. Chelsea may end up just nicking all points, but this could be another frustrating encounter for Mourinho’s men.
Score prediction
Chelsea 2-1 Southampton.
