Prediction: Southampton vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on Tuesday night, Chelsea will make the trip to St. Mary’s when they meet Southampton.

Southampton

Starting with the hosts, while Southampton might have managed to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory away at Leicester on August 20th, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men came crashing back down to earth over the weekend. Despite smelling the chance to spring an upset against an inconsistent Manchester United, the one-time RB Leipzig boss saw his side get hit with a 1-0 defeat on home soil. Opening the 2022/23 campaign with a routine 4-1 drumming at the hands of Tottenham earlier in the month, the Saints have won just one of their opening four Premier League outings. Despite hanging onto their top-flight status back in May, it should be noted that Tuesday’s hosts have continued to show some worrying issues at St. Mary’s. Along with collecting just a single point from their previous four Premier League home fixtures on either side of the summer break, Southampton have also won just one of their last eight matchups on the south coast.

Team News

Despite picking up a second-half knock against Manchester United over the weekend, Armel Bella-Kotchap is expected to be given the green light on Tuesday night.

While he might have been linked with a move away from St. Mary’s this summer, Scotland international Che Adams should retain his spot leading the line.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, after being hit with a stunning 3-0 drumming away at Leeds earlier in the month, Chelsea were desperately seeking an immediate response over the weekend. Eventually managing to pick up a 2-1 victory at home against Leicester, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss is calling on his squad to find some stability. Opening up the 2022/23 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Everton, the former European champions will be looking to lay down a marker on Tuesday night. Once again tipped as a standout pick to claim another top-four finish this season, Chelsea should also be boosted by their rampant previous meeting against the Saints. Making the trip to St. Mary’s on April 9th, it should be noted that Tuchel’s side breezed their way to a stellar 6-0 romp on the south coast. Likewise, losing just one of their previous 15 straight meetings against Southampton across all formats, the Londoners should be smelling a chance in midweek.

Team News

Opening his Chelsea account with a brace against Leicester over the weekend, summer arrival Raheem Sterling should once again spearhead Tuchel’s charge.

After serving a one-match suspension on Saturday afternoon, Kalidou Koulibaly could make his return at the heart of Chelsea’s defence here. However, Conor Gallagher will miss out at St. Mary’s after being shown a pair of first-half bookings over the weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off on April 9th, Chelsea picked up a thumping 6-0 victory at St. Mary’s.
• Tuesday’s guests have also lost just one of their previous 15 straight meetings against Southampton across all formats.
• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven matchups at St. Mary’s, a run that has seen them muster six victories and a single draw.
• Southampton have managed to win just one of their last eight Premier League showdowns at St. Mary’s continuing on from last season.
• Each of the last seven meetings between Tuesday’s opponents have seen over 1.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

Managing to make an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend, Chelsea will be looking to keep up that momentum here. Claiming a thumping 6-0 when they made the trip to St. Mary’s back on April 9th, the former European champions should be smelling another chance on Tuesday night. Losing just one of their previous 15 straight meetings against Southampton, Tuchel’s side also hold a rather rampant record on the south coast. Mustering a staggering 19 points from their last seven Premier League showdowns at St. Mary’s, Southampton could be in for another stern test here. Likewise, with the Saints winning just one of their previous eight top-flight contests on home soil, we’re backing an away victory in midweek.

Verdict: Chelsea win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet