Chelsea vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-02-17 15:00.
The new era of Chelsea has got off to a rocky start with boss Graham Potter constantly fielding questions about his supposed lack of job security after posting Chelsea’s worst Premier League (PL) position at this stage of the season since 2015/16. The noise from the club indicates Potter is a long-term project though, and with a four-game unbeaten run of league games (W1, D3), there is progress of sorts.
Making over £300m worth of signings all work together is a massive task, so patience is required from the Blues’ faithful. That could come at a short-term loss though, with Chelsea’s preparations for this clash hampered by a midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Dortmund (1-0) and an immediate resurgence is now needed following that result as Chelsea aim to cut the eight-point gap to the top-five.
The stakes are much higher for Southampton, who are playing for PL survival after a frankly poor, sometimes bordering on ridiculous 94-day tenure under Nathan Jones left them bottom of the table (PL: W1, L7). Recently sacked by Leeds, Jesse Marsch looked set to join during the week, yet talks broke down just as many awaited the announcement, leaving the Saints managerless for their trip to the capital.
Whoever the Saints hierarchy end up choosing to fill the Jones-shaped void, they must get it right as they're currently in freefall, losing a PL-high six games since the World Cup restart and ahead of the round. Working on their leaky defence would probably be a good start as Southampton have recorded just one clean sheet across their last 28 league games, conceding a startling ten goals across their last five PL away trips.
Players to watch: For all of their money spent this year, Chelsea's Mason Mount could be pivotal here if he can keep his average of one goal contribution per PL H2H with Southampton intact (G4, A1). As for Southampton, Romeo Lavia netted his only senior club goal against Chelsea in the 2-1 reverse win, yet he's more likely to be shown a card with four yellows in 13 PL appearances this term.
Hot stat: Graham Potter has won just five of his 24 PL games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone (W5, D13, L6).