STAR PREVIEW: Chelsea v Southampton

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]et’s get one thing straight. I’m not backing Chelsea at odds-on in the 5.30pm match live on SKY.

Southampton have held the Blues to a draw in their last two head to heads but they came when Chelsea were playing a great deal better than they are at the moment.

It’s hard to quantify exactly what’s gone wrong with Chelsea given they are quintessentially the same side that strolled clear to win the title last year but they are very much a changed side this season. Plenty of rumours abound about dressing room discontent which is translating itself into lacklustre efforts on the pitch.

Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho said: “I define this as the worst period in my career. It’s a fantastic experience, even though I don’t want to repeat it again. Players know when they make mistakes. I don’t know what it’s like in your offices, but nobody seems to care about your mistakes.”

Chelsea have lost five games since and including the Capital One Cup, have won only four and drawn the other two. They were lucky to get out of trouble against Newcastle when coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in their latest Premier League game and went on to suffer defeat in the Champions League this week at the hands of Porto.

Southampton are 10th in the Premier League (Chelsea 14th) and come here on the back of two wins. A 6-0 thumping of the MK Dons in the Capital One Cup and an impressive 3-1 defeat of Swansea in their latest league game.

Chelsea will again be without forward Diego Costa who serves the last of his three-match suspension.

Chelsea v Southampton
Premier League
17:30 Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Mar 2015 PREMIER Chelsea 1-1 Southampton
Dec 2014 PREMIER Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
Jan 2014 PREMIER Southampton 0-3 Chelsea
Dec 2013 PREMIER Chelsea 3-1 Southampton
Mar 2013 PREMIER Southampton 2-1 Chelsea
Jan 2013 PREMIER Chelsea 2-2 Southampton
Jan 2013 FA CUP Southampton 1-5 Chelsea
Apr 2005 PREMIERSHIP Southampton 1-3 Chelsea
Aug 2004 PREMIERSHIP Chelsea 2-1 Southampton
May 2004 PREMIERSHIP Chelsea 4-0 Southampton

Although Southampton have only won one of the last 13 meetings (D5, L7) they are in a better shape than Chelsea heading into this and whilst the three points might be beyond them – the draw at around 11/4 with Star Sports looks a real tempter.

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BACK DRAW for 6 points at around 11/4 with Star Sports

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