Chelsea vs Southampton – Prediction
1-1 Draw, Chelsea are a shoe in for the title this season but they aren’t going to get it without a fight. Southampton have been fantastic all season and have rarely failed to turn up for a game. There record against the top 6 sides has been poor so far and Koeman would want to correct that.
Chelsea should win the game but their Champions exit may have an effect here and we can see Southampton grabbing something from Stamford Bridge. Sadio Mane is our pick to score for Southampton.
Chelsea
Just a few days after their Champions League exit against PSG Chelsea have to face a tough test in the form of Southampton in the league.
Chelsea were humiliated by PSG, their usually tight defense failed to protect their lead twice against a PSG side that played most of the match with just 10 men. It was a rarity seeing Mourinho absolutely clueless on what to do.
There exit from Europe now means that they can fully concentrate on the Premier league and with Manchester City’s miserable result against Burnley yesterday the title is virtually in Chelsea’s hands.
Chelsea however has a fairly difficult run of games till the end of the season so need to be more consistent so that they don’t let City or any of the teams below them a chance of clawing back up to them.
Chelsea’s recent form has failed to match up to the standards they themselves set at the start of the season. Ever since their FA Cup 4th round exit versus Bradford City they have been edging past teams both in the league and cup competitions.
Chelsea are still unbeaten at home this season winning 11 and drawing 2 of their 13 home matches till date but two of those draws have come in the last three games.
Nemanja Matic should be fit to start for the Blues after recovered from his ankle injury that he picked up during their Champions League exit against PSG.
The only absentee in the Chelsea ranks is John Obi Mikel who is still out with a Knee injury.
Check out our other Predictions for Sunday
Manchester United vs Tottenham
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Southampton
Southampton have started slipping down the table they are still within touching distance with United with 4th but can’t slip up any further if they are to keep their hopes of Champions League football alive.
The Saints come into this match on the back of hard fought 1-0 win against Crystal Palace and are seven points clear of Stoke City in 8th they have atleast assured themselves a place in the Europa League next season.
Southampton however have the easiest of the fixtures among the top 7 with them having to face only three of the top six in their last 10 games.
Southampton have conceded only 20 goals all season but their form against the teams above them have been pretty poor with them picking up only 7 points from a possible 27 against them.
Southampton have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Chelsea losing six and drawing 4.
Southampton could be boosted by the return of Toby Alderweireld who has been out of action since January with a hamstring injury however the duo of Jay Rodriguez and Emmanuel Mayuka are still out through injuries.
Past Meeting
The last time these two teams met this season the game ended in a 1-1 draw with Sadio Mane scoring first for the Saints and then Hazard equalizing for the Blues in the 1st half injury time. The other note worthy incident of the game was the sending-off of Morgan Schneiderlin.
Where they are in the table
1st – Chelsea – 27 games – 63 points – (+35 GD)
7th – Southampton – 28 games – 49 points – (+19 GD)
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