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Southampton vs Chelsea 06/10/2019 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Southampton vs Chelsea

Date: 6th October 2019

K/O: 14:00

Venue: St. Marys

Match Official: Paul Tierney

Ralph Hasenhuttl is now in the middle of what will be his hardest run of games this season and will be eager to put points on the board. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side will be stiff opposition as they have now won their last three games in a row, scoring 11 in the process.

In their last five fixtures coming up against each other Chelsea have been victorious four times. Lampard will have history behind him as the last time The Blues failed to score away at Southampton was back in 1997. Since then Saints have hosted Chelsea 15 times, and have conceded 33 goals.

Saints’ home record at the beginning of this Premier League season has been less than inspiring as they have only managed one point from a possible nine. Despite their recent dip in home form, Ralph Hasenhuttl will be looking to put a smile back on the faces of the fans who still have faith in the Austrian’s tactics and vision for the club.

Southampton have scored in their last 17 consecutive home games, their longest run since December 1981. However, only one of these results has been a clean sheet for the Saints, an area which Lampard will surely look to exploit.

Southampton

Despite their recent rut of results, its not been for lack of trying. In their last two premier league fixtures they have had greater possession and greater shots on target. With some excellent saves from opposition goalkeepers being thrown in there also, Saints have simply been unlucky.

Their previous endeavour at Tottenham Hotspur will be fuel for Hasenhuttl and his side as the players will feel like they deserved at least one point from the game, especially as they were against 10 men for the majority. It did look however as if they lacked a cutting edge.

One of Hasenhuttl’s criticisms has been his seeming reluctance to play all four of his back line in their preferred positions. With Cedric Soares out with a minor calf injury, which he picked up in the warm-up before the spurs game, to an outsider the only logical decision would be to put Yan Valery in.

However, natural centre-half Jannik Vestergaard was placed there instead. Despite his aerial prowess, Vestergaard can often be found making basic errors and has been targeted throughout games. With Ryan Bertrand back in the side, Kevin Danso will hope he is kept out of the left back role and is given a chance to prove his worth in his natural centre back role.

There are positives for Hasenhuttl as Nathan Redmond has now returned to the side. His eagerness to go forward and attack always causes defences problems. Combined with Sofiane Boufal and Danny Ings up front, that could add up to be a lethal front three and hopefully provide the cutting edge they desperately need.

Unfortunately, Moussa Djenepo will still be unavailable for the fixture due to a muscle strain he picked up in his leg. The young Malian showed promise with his appearances coming off the bench, scoring in two away victories as well as being nominated for goal of the month for his goal against Sheffield United.

With Chelsea high in confidence, it will take a lot for Ralph’s side to take something from the game.

Chelsea

After a wobbly start to the season, Lampard’s men have won four out of their last six games. Their two defeats came at the hands of league leaders Liverpool, and a ruthless Valencia side. Their biggest win came at the hands of Grimsby Town in the EFL cup with a 7-1 drubbing, and if ruthless Tammy Abraham continues to impress, goals are certainly on the cards this weekend.

One of Chelsea’s stand out players so far this season has been Abraham. Leading the goal scoring in the Premier League with seven goals, and after his recent England call-up, the young Englishman will be itching to continue his run of form and cement his place not only in the England side but in the Chelsea team going forward. His team-mate Mason Mount has also been in form and the playmaker will definitely cause problems for Hasenhuttl’s men at St. Mary’s.

N’golo Konte will be out for this fixture which is a huge loss for Lampard as the Frenchman is the engine in the centre of midfield who breaks down teams attacks early. This could give the Saints more opportunities to create chances.

Predicted line-ups

Southampton (4-2-2-2)
Gunn; Valery, Bednarek, Yoshida, Bertrand; Hojbjerg, Romeu; Boufal, Ward-Prowse; Remdond, Ings.

Chelsea: (4-3-3)
Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso; Mount Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Abraham, Willian.

Prediction

Southampton 2 – 4 Chelsea

Saints will look to score goals in front of their home fans rather than sit back and invite pressure. However, Chelsea will have the firepower and ability to overcome the saints and outscore them in a goal filled affair.

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