Southampton vs Chelsea – Mach Preview
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Chelsea have passed up ground in the early stages of this season’s title race as back to back draws currently see them lie two points behind both Manchester City and Liverpool.
However, with those two teams facing off later that same Sunday, it is the perfect opportunity for them to make up ground.
After a draw against West Ham at the London Stadium, it was the same outcome last weekend as they were held at home by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. A game that they almost won were it not for Daniel Sturridge’s spectacular late effort.
The former Chelsea forward scored a fantastic strike from the edge of the area to make sure that it was honours even at Stamford Bridge, after Eden Hazard broke the deadlock for the Blues in the first half.
It will have felt like two points dropped for Maurizio Sarri’s men last Saturday and they will look to bounce back when they travel to the St Mary’s Stadium to face a Southampton side that are languishing a little too close to the relegation zone for their own comfort.
Going into the start of the weekend, the Saints find themselves lying 16th in the table and three points clear of the drop zone. In fairness if you offered that to the club come the end of the campaign then they would probably take you up on that offer.
However, there is a sense that Southampton have lost their identity somewhat. In recent times they have been known for a constant conveyor belt of talent, which had the club finishing in the Europa League places and getting to cup finals.
However, it seems as if it is a case of diminishing returns now for the Hampshire outfit as they are struggling to find their way under Mark Hughes. The former Wales boss did a good job in keeping them up last season, but you cannot see them kicking off from that point.
It could well be that the Southampton owners are satisfied with just being part of the Premier League and as long as they don’t suffer the dreaded drop then that is enough for Mark Hughes to stay in employment.
At the same time though it is arguably not a position that is felt by the fans, they will be fully aware that the club has undergone something of a backwards step since the somewhat surprise sacking of Claude Puel in May 2017.
His departure perhaps showed that the grass is not always greener on the other side, although the same cannot be said for Chelsea who are now thriving under their new manager and they will look to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign this Sunday.
Southampton have scored just six Premier League goals this season and they will offer little threat to a much more disciplined Chelsea side. Last season it was a 3-2 win for the Blues, this time around it will be a much more routine away victory.
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