Preview
Chelsea face Southampton this Saturday in our last fixture before the international break.
This weekends game is a must win game. Chelsea suffered defeat to Porto this week and need to get back on track with a win after Tuesday’s abysmal display. Manchester City play Newcastle this weekend and they are expected to secure 3 points. With them likely to win, Chelsea can’t allow them to gain more points over us so only a win for us is necessary.
Like Chelsea, Southampton have got off to a slow start, something only a few people predicted. However in their last two games, Ronald Koeman’s side have looked fairly impressive dispatching MK Dons in the League Cup 6-0 and Swansea in the Premier League 3-1. In both of our league fixtures against them last year we struggled and they were one of the two teams in the league that we didn’t manage to beat.
Tuesday’s performance against Porto was very disappointing. On numerous occasions the defence created their own mistakes and weren’t organised as a unit allowing Porto to have chances at goal. We missed John Terry, a player who usually carries and guides his defence in difficult games.
Going forward we weren’t much better either. When we attacked we looked so predictable and made unforced errors many times. The side missed chances we should be scoring which would have changed the game. Our midfield needs to step up too, they were overrun by a strong Porto side and at times they went through us with ease.
In order to win tomorrow we need to step up our game as a team massively.
Southampton had a great foundation at the back last season and kept many clean sheets, however this term they have failed to replicate that so far. This is a positive for Chelsea and something Falcao or Remy need to thrive on. Both have failed to make an impact in Diego’s absence so far.
Graziano Pelle is currently playing well and has managed 4 league goals so far. He is player who lacks pace but makes up for it in power and strength, Terry, Zouma or Cahill will have a tough afternoon and will have to play well to suppress him.
I expect a tough game but a Chelsea win going into the international break. Despite our form this season it’s one we should be winning with home advantage.
Come on Chelsea!
Match details
Saturday, 3rd October, 5:30 PM (UK Time) kick off, at Stamford Bridge on Sky Sports 1.
Recent form and previous meetings
Chelsea have again had mixed form in our last 5 games. After a defeat in Merseyside, we started September well but failed to keep the momentum going when we took the trip to Newcastle and then Porto. We have won 3 (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Arsenal and Walsall), drawn 1 (Newcastle) and lost 1 (Porto) in our last 5.
Southampton have also had mixed form in their last 5 games, but they have picked up momentum in recent games where Chelsea have lost it. They have won 3 (Norwich, MK Dons and Swansea), drawn the 1 (West Brom) and lost 1 too (Manchester United) in their last 5.
Chelsea have good form against The Saints in recent games. In our last 10 meetings with them in all competitions, Chelsea have won 6 of them, drawn 3 and lost just the 1. During that time Chelsea scored 25 goals against them compared to Southampton’s 10 against us.
Chelsea have struggled a bit at Stamford Bridge against them for our standards though. In our last 10 meetings in London, we have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 1.
Both of last seasons meetings with them ended in a 1-1 draw.
Team news
Jose Mourinho reported good news injury wise in his press conference again this morning, he confirmed Thibaut Courtois remains our only injury concern. He also said that the Belgian is doing well and he is on course to return to action in December providing every thing goes to plan. After our match with Porto, our fans were heard to singing “We want our captain back”. During the last couple of days there have been rumours that he’s going to start, with a big and strong Pelle leading their attack, Terry may be drafted back in. Pedro has dropped below his usual standard in our last few games and with Willian scoring his 3rd goal of the season against Porto, he could replace him. Oscar, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy were all left in England while the squad travelled to Porto, one of Mourinho’s assistants said they trained ‘fantastically’. Jose faces the small dilemma of who to choose upfront with both players disappointing against Newcastle. Tomorrow’s game is the last of Costa’s 3 match suspension.
Ronald Koeman said in his press conference on Thursday that he expects to name an unchanged squad to one which was chosen against Swansea last weekend. Former Blue, Ryan Bertrand has recently returned from injury and has been selected for the England squad for the upcoming fixtures, he is set to start. Two certainties to miss the game are Forster and Gardos, both are still recovering from long term injuries. Jordy Clasie may return to the squad, something Koeman couldn’t confirm yet.
Your predictions
@CFCNewsApp Chelsea 3-1 Southampton
— Juher 😁 (@MuhdZuhair_) October 2, 2015
@CFCNewsApp che 4 – 0
— varunmohan (@varunmohanm) October 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/Alaacfc/status/649964695995174912
@CFCNewsApp 2-1 chelsea
— AHMED ALBALAWI (@wwltp) October 2, 2015
