Southampton vs Chelsea 06/10/19

6 October 2019

A 2-1 away triumph over Lille in their midweek’s Champions League clash will serve as a huge boost for Chelsea, who will be looking to break into the Premier League (PL) top-six when they take on Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium this weekend.

The hosts welcome an improving Chelsea side on the ropes, having lost both of their previous PL outings, both against the clubs from the upper half of the table. Southampton’s drop-off in form came just when they seemed to be moving up a gear by putting together three straight league games without a loss (W2, D1). Breaking the deadlock could be crucial for the Saints here, as they’ve won both of their PL matches where they’ve scored the first goal. At the other end, they have largely failed to the opposition’s lead, returning just one point from five games where they conceded the opener.

Meanwhile, after seeing off Brighton the last time out, the visitors will try to seal back-to-back league wins for the first time under new boss Franck Lampard. Such a tendency is backed by the fact the Blues have brushed aside Southampton in each of their last four PL visits here, netting at least two goals on every occasion during the run. What’s more, the Pensioners have won two of their previous PL trips by scoring at least three goals and conceding precisely two following a humiliating 4-0 demolition to Manchester United in the curtain-raiser.