Chelsea vs Southampton

Chelsea will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on underperforming Southampton at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

A lackluster 1-0 home league defeat to Manchester City last time out followed up by another reverse against Juventus in the Champions League means Chelsea could go winless in three straight competitive games for the first time under Thomas Tuchel. After failing to win their last three Premier League meetings with Southampton (D2, L1), the ‘Blues’ must be concerned over the prospect of losing back-to-back league matches at Stamford Bridge for the first time since December 2019. Scoring first could be of the essence, considering that five of Chelsea’s last six Premier League fixtures won/lost at home have seen the victor keep a clean sheet, 2020/21 included (W4, L2). But another defeat within 90 minutes of play would see the London heavyweights succumb to three straight losses in a single season for the first time since October 2002.

On the other hand, Southampton head to the capital with low expectations following a thoroughly underwhelming start to the season, having failed to win any of their first six Premier League outings (D4, L2). Stranded just a single point clear of the relegation zone, the ‘Saints’ are staring at the prospect of going winless in their inaugural seven top-flight games for the first time since 1998/99. Ralph Hassenhutl’s men need to improve up top if they are to stand any chance here, having failed to find the net in five of their previous eight Premier League matches, including the last three in a row. They last drew a blank in 4+ league outings in October 2018. Since beating Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 2019, the visitors have claimed just one victory in their subsequent eight top-flight visits to London (D3, L4).