Southampton vs Chelsea: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Chelsea should be the victors in this fixture, considering their league standing and Southampton’s subsequent start to the season.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their previous five in all competitions, facing a Southampton side who are winless and without a clean sheet in their last three. Enzo Maresca's side will be facing a Southampton side who are 20 points behind the Blues in the league, with only one win all season.

Chelsea have been the first to score in four of the previous five meetings between the two sides and are unbeaten in their last three away games with two wins and a draw. Away from home, Chelsea have a relatively strong record this season, only losing once away at Anfield, having won four of their previous six away games this season. Southampton has lost four of their six home league fixtures this season.

Nicolas Jackson has been in excellent form for the Blues, scoring four goals in his last five Premier League appearances.

We predict a comfortable outcome for Chelsea in a 3-0 win.

Chelsea travel to Southampton, to face a home side in desperate need of points at this stage of the season.

Date: 04/12/2024
Location: St. Mary’s, Southampton.
Kick-Off: 7.30 pm

Russell Martin would have hoped that Southampton’s immediate return to the top flight would have had a smoother road, but ultimately, the Saints have been the worst team in the Premier League this season. The hosts are at the bottom of the league, with only five points from 39 on offer, and they are projected to reach 13 points - two points clear of Derby County’s record in 2007/08. Southampton have only won once this season, losing ten and only averaging 0.38 points per game. A result against Chelsea would only narrow the gap between themselves and those above, but a result is doubtful.

On the other hand, Chelsea have been performing brilliantly under Enzo Maresca this season. The Blues will still be competing on multiple fronts, and the former Leicester City manager has been brilliant in developing this side into a potential contender to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. The visitors are in third place in the Premier League and are nine points behind league leaders Liverpool. A win for the Blues will move them ahead of Arsenal should the Gunners lose against Manchester United.

The last league meeting between the two sides resulted in a 1-0 win for the Saints thanks to a goal from James Ward-Prowse.

The game will be available on Amazon Prime Video.

Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes are all unavailable through suspension.

Reece James remains unavailable with a hamstring injury for Chelsea.

The recent history between the two sides suggests that Chelsea will be the favourites for this clash, although Southampton have had an equal share of results against the Blues in recent meetings. Chelsea have won three of the previous five meetings between the two sides in all competitions, including a 6-0 demolition job at St.Mary’s in 2022. Mason Mount and Timo Werner both scored twice on that day. Interestingly, Southampton have won the last two meetings between the two sides, with their most recent victory coming in their previous season in the top flight.

Simply put, Southampton have made one of the worst starts in Premier League history, with only five points from 13 games played and only one win all season. The Saints have only picked up four points from their last 18 points available, and although technically, they are in their best spell points-wise, it doesn’t make good reading for a side projected for 13 points. Russell Martin’s side's only victory was against a struggling Everton side; however, the statistics show that improvement is undoubtedly needed. After 13 games, Southampton had the third-worst defence in the Premier League and the joint-worst attack in the Premier League alongside Everton.

In their most recent home game, Southampton pushed the current league leaders Liverpool to their limits. Still, defensive mistakes ultimately cost the Saints, which allowed Liverpool to secure all three points. In their most recent league fixture, Southampton picked up an impressive point away from home against Europe, chasing Brighton and Hove Albion, thanks to an equaliser from Flynn Downes.

Chelsea have been superb this season, as Enzo Maresca is building something awe-inspiring at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won their last three in all competitions, remaining unbeaten in their previous six. Away from home, Chelsea have a relatively strong record this season, only losing once away at Anfield, having won four of their previous six away games this season.

The Blues were superb against Aston Villa in their most recent league game. Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring by grabbing his eighth league goal of the season and his fourth in five appearances. Enzo Fernandez then continued his fine form by scoring once again, and talisman Cole Palmer rounded off a resounding performance from the Blues and him personally with a spectacular effort in the second half.

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