It is much too early to talk of a crisis at Chelsea but a manager with Thomas Tuchel’s standards knows that any further slip ups and wobbles will not be acceptable at Stamford Bridge after losses to Manchester City and Juventus. The visit of Southampton to west London ought to give the Blues an opportunity to get back to winning ways with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side having staggered out of the blocks early on in the Premier League season.
Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 2 | Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
- Location: Stamford Bridge — London
- TV: USA Network | Live stream: fuboTV (try for free)
- Odds: Chelsea -250; Draw +360; Southampton +800 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Chelsea: The defeats to City and Juventus pointed to a worrying lack of attacking impetus from Thomas Tuchel’s side, who registered just one shot on target across the two matches and only really looked like scoring against the latter when they heaved the ball forward in desperation early on. Romelu Lukaku’s arrival was supposed to have solved Chelsea’s scoring issues but all too often he has been isolated and lacking service from those behind him.
Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have all struggled for form in recent days with Mason Mount’s absence leaving the team without anyone to knit things together. He may be available to face Southampton — his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad suggested he was winning the fitness race — Chelsea certainly need him if he is.
Southampton: It has not been a vintage start to the season for Southampton, whose only win has come in the EFL Cup against League Two Newport County. But there has been a silver lining in the form of summer signing Valentino Livramento, snared from Chelsea when the 18 year old became convinced that he would not get game time at Stamford Bridge. With 536 minutes played he has more Premier League action than the combined minutes of everyone else his age (as well as the most of any teenager).
He also has the most expected assists of any teenager in the league according to Opta, the most ball recoveries and is betted only by Mason Greenwood in terms of chances created. He will surely be desperate to show Chelsea what they let slip away.
Prediction
Southampton proved against City that they can be a tough nut for top sides to crack but with pressure building on Chelsea they will surely find a way to win. PICK: Chelsea 1 Southampton 0
