Prediction: Chelsea vs Southampton

Verdict: Chelsea win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

In desperate need of a boost on Saturday afternoon, Chelsea will welcome relegation scrappers Southampton to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, getting their Champions League knockout stage adventure underway with another toothless display in midweek, Chelsea find themselves in the midst of a public nightmare. Eventually getting hit with a 1-0 first-leg defeat away at German giants Borussia Dortmund, it is no secret that Graham Potter has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. While the former European champions might have only appointed the ex-Brighton boss back in September, Chelsea have failed to find any kind of stability. Knowing that they need a minor miracle if they’re to punch a much-needed top-four finish come May, Saturday’s hosts face what could be a must-win showdown at Stamford Bridge. However, last seen on Premier League duties having to settle for a 1-1 draw away at London rivals West Ham, Potter’s side have remarkably won just one of their previous nine consecutive matchups across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to December 27th.

Team News

Still dealing with long-term injury issues, Chelsea will once again be without the likes of N’Golo Kante, Armando Broja, Christian Pulisic and Edouard Mendy on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, the Blues are sweating over the fitness of England international Raheem Sterling.

While Kai Havertz might have bagged just a single strike in any of his last nine appearances, the 23-year-old should lead Potter’s charge here.

Southampton

As for the visitors, suffering a remarkable late collapse at home against 10-man Wolves last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 loss at St. Mary’s, that result was enough to cost Nathan Jones his job on the south coast. Now making the trip to west London without a replacement in the dugout, it is no secret that Southampton are enduring a public nightmare this season. Sat rock-bottom of the table and now tipped as a leading contender to lose their Premier League status in 2023, the Saints are facing a huge uphill struggle. In fact, along with opening February with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Brentford, Saturday’s guests have lost each of their last five meetings against Premier League opposition. Only continuing to show a string of issues on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, Southampton should be bracing themselves for another tough test away from St. Mary’s.

Team News

Southampton will once again be without the quartet of Kyle Walker-Peters, Alex McCarthy, Juan Larios and ex-Chelsea starlet Valentino Livramento when they travel to west London here.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench in last weekend’s 2-1 loss against Wolves, Scotland international Che Adams will be hoping for a full recall at Stamford Bridge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on August 30th for their reverse meeting at St. Mary’s, Southampton picked up a 2-1 victory.
• However, the Saints have lost each of their last five straight meetings against Premier League opposition.
• Likewise, including a 1-0 loss away at Borussia Dortmund in midweek, Chelsea have won just one of their previous nine matchups across all formats.
• The former Premier League champions have also failed to score more than a single strike in any of those nine consecutive appearances.
• Southampton have claimed just a single Premier League win at Stamford Bridge since October 2015.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might find themselves in the midst of an extended struggle, Saturday’s hosts should be smelling a golden chance on Saturday afternoon. Desperate to claim some kind of boost this weekend, Potter’s side will be looking to cash in on a Southampton squad who appear to be freefalling their way out of the Premier League. Without a new boss to replace Jones at St. Mary’s, the south coast strugglers have also lost each of their last five straight meetings against top-flight opposition. Likewise, last seen on their travels getting hit with a routine 3-0 drumming against Brentford, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Chelsea win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet