Chelsea are bidding to register a sixth successive victory in all competitions when they travel to Southampton for Saturday’s early kick-off.
The Blues moved into the top four with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday and have conceded just one goal in seven games under newly-appointed manager Thomas Tuchel.
Southampton are in desperate need of a positive result following a dismal run of six defeats, which has seen them plummet into 13th place, since beating Liverpool on January 4.
Their head-to-head record against the Blues also makes for ugly reading. Chelsea have won their previous five visits to St Mary’s and last tasted defeat against the Saints on the road in 2013.
Tuchel has galvanised his players since replacing Frank Lampard – providing a newfound defensive stability while simultaneously boosting the confidence of the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcos Alonso and Timo Werner.
He’s also returned to a back-three in a system similar to Antonio Conte’s 2016/17 Premier League title winning side.
Werner has been deployed much deeper to play between the lines and the wing-backs have been given more license to attack.
Saints’ biggest stumbling block has been a complete lack of squad depth. Ralph Hasenhuttl has remained faithful to the 4-4-2 system which heralded unexpected success at the start of the season, but injuries and calamitous individual errors have cost them heavily.
Team News
Kyle Walker-Peters is expected to spend another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury in Sunday’s defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Theo Walcott (thigh), Ibrahima Diallo (muscular), Michael Obafemi (muscular) and Will Smallbone (knee) are also still unavailable.
Alexandre Jankewitz is eligible to play after serving a three-match ban for his red card against Manchester United.
Tammy Abraham has made a remarkable recovery from his ankle injury in Monday’s win over Newcastle and is expected to return to training today.
Kai Havertz is expected to return but Thiago Silva and Christian Pulisic remain sidelined.
Key Statistics
Southampton have lost 24 games against Chelsea in the Premier League. Only Man United have won more times in the competition against Saints (28).
Saints have lost each of their last six league games – their longest run in the club’s entire Football League history.
Chelsea could win five straight Premier League games for the first time since November 2019.
Timo Werner ended his 14-game goal drought with the second goal in Monday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Prediction
Southampton 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea have been in imperious form since Tuchel arrived at the end of January and I can’t see them slowing down against Southampton.
Walker-Peters will be a huge miss for Saints. He is a key asset both defensively and offensively, and with Werner rediscovering his form, their defence could be in for a busy afternoon.
