Chelsea vs Southampton Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Stamford Bridge plays host to a high-stakes Premier League clash between Chelsea and Southampton on Saturday. 

Despite splurging around £300 million in the January transfer window, the Blues continue to reel off disappointments one after another, with a 1-0 Champions League defeat on Wednesday adding insult to injury. 

It’ll take some time for all the new pieces to fall into place, but under-pressure manager Graham Potter could be running out of time as the Pensioners languish in the Premier League mid-table. 

Chelsea’s worst position in the top-flight standings at this stage of the season since 2015/16 holds the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager on the ropes ahead of Southampton’s visit. 

A potential failed attempt to beat the division’s worst-performing side could prove the end of the road for Potter, but the Saints’ recent showings in the Premier League firmly back the hosts for success. 

Following a 2-1 home loss to ten-man Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, Southampton called time on boss Nathan Jones’ abysmal 94-day tenure (W1, L7).

While trying to fill the vacancy for the second time this season, the visitors make this trip to London nailed to the bottom of the table after losing three consecutive league outings. 

Given their wayward league form after the mid-season break (W1, L6), Southampton should consider themselves lucky for trailing 17th-placed Leeds United by only four points. 

Match Preview

Chelsea

Since a narrow 1-0 home triumph over cross-town rivals Crystal Palace in mid-January, Chelsea have drawn three consecutive matches in the Premier League for the first time since the 2006/07 season.

Potter’s men have got their frustrated fanbase used to low-scoring affairs in 2023, with the Blues’ seven top-flight fixtures in the new calendar year producing just nine goals.

Against this backdrop, Chelsea’s last two Premier League games against Southampton at Stamford Bridge have seen 4+ goals and both teams scoring, with the London outfit netting precisely three goals each time.

Southampton

Southampton’s growing defensive woes have witnessed just one clean sheet in 28 Premier League matches, while you’d need to go back to April 2022 for their last clean sheet against permanent top-flight tenants.

But playing outside St Mary’s could be a blessing in disguise for the Saints, as three of their four league victories this season have come on hostile turf. 

That bodes well for Southampton’s effort to complete their first league double over Chelsea since 1987/88 following a 2-1 home win in the reverse fixture in August. 

Chelsea vs Southampton Potential Line-ups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Reece James, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk; Kai Havertz. 

Southampton (3-5-2): Gavin Bazunu; Duje Caleta-Car, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu; Kyle Walker-Peters, Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse, Carlos Alcaraz, Romain Perraud; Kamaldeen Sulemana, Che Adams. 

How to Watch?

Chelsea vs Southampton, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.

Chelsea vs Southampton Prediction 

Chelsea will hardly have a better opportunity to embark on a much-needed revival despite being the only side to lose points at St Mary’s this season. 

Potter is running out of excuses and failing to beat the league’s low performers at Stamford Bridge could end his underwhelming tenure in west London.

We expect Chelsea to pick up three valuable points in a convincing manner.

Chelsea 2-0 Southampton