Southampton vs Chelsea Predictions

• Chelsea have won three games on the spin
• Southampton have lost six of their last nine games in all competitions
• Both teams have scored in three of Southampton’s last five matches
• Nicolas Jackson has scored eight times in this season’s Premier League

Chelsea continue to climb the table

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has played down suggestions his team are in the Premier League title race but Blues fans will nonetheless be pleased with their side’s recent form.

The Londoners have reeled off three straight wins over Leicester, Heidenheim and, most impressively, Aston Villa, who they beat 3-0 on Sunday.

That win at Stamford Bridge means Chelsea are up to third spot in the Premier League, level on points with second-placed Arsenal, although they remain nine points off runaway leaders Liverpool.

The bottom line is Maresca is getting a tune out of this Chelsea team and their enviable squad depth means they are not fazed by their involvement in the Europa Conference League.

They have lost just one of their last nine fixtures in all competitions and that one defeat came against Newcastle in the EFL Cup when the Blues fielded a weakened side.

Cole Palmer continues to impress with eight goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League, while Nicolas Jackson is also starting to flourish with eight league strikes.

Saints staring down the barrel at relegation

Chelsea head to struggling Southampton on Wednesday and they head to St Mary’s with a terrific away record behind them.

Indeed, only Liverpool (16) have picked up more points on the road than the Blues (13) this term and Maresca’s men have also scored more goals on their travels (14) than any other Premier League outfit.

That does not bode well for Southampton, who are prime candidates for the drop with just five points from 13 matches.

Saints were denied what would have been just their second league win of the season away to Brighton on Friday, after VAR ruled out Cameron Archer’s strike for a debatable offside call on Adam Armstrong.

They had, however, been dominated in that game, losing the shot count 22-10, and a draw against Brighton is not a bad result given how their season has unfolded.

Goals should be on the cards at St Mary’s

Goals have not been a problem for Southampton recently – they have scored in four of their last five matches and took a 2-1 lead in their 3-2 defeat against Liverpool last month.

Tyler Dibling, Armstrong and Archer are all capable players in the final third and there is every chance Southampton can get on the scoresheet against Chelsea.

But a goals conceded tally of 25 is not ideal and Chelsea’s form is too good to ignore, so an away win and both teams to score looks the most likely outcome, while 2-1 is a good correct score pick.

Jackson has scored in back-to-back league fixtures for Chelsea and can find the net