Chelsea have lost their past two games, against Manchester City and Juventus, but this is not the start of any serious slump. Blues boss Thomas Tuchel will demand a performance this time, and I would be shocked if their losing run continues on Saturday.
Southampton have looked good in some of their games, but that hasn’t been enough for them to win one yet. Saints will probably adopt a similar approach to the one that got them a draw at Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago, and will hope for a similar performance too.
Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat by Southampton in December 2019 is their only loss in the past 11 league meetings (W7, D3).
Saints have earned 19 Premier League points away to Chelsea – the only sides they have better away records against are Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, claiming 27 and 21 points respectively.
The Blues are in danger of losing back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time under Thomas Tuchel.
They have not lost consecutive top-flight games at Stamford Bridge since December 2019, with the second fixture in that sequence a 2-0 defeat by Southampton on Boxing Day.
Chelsea have lost four Premier League home matches in 2021 – they have not suffered five top-flight defeats at home in a calendar year since 1995.
The Londoners have scored six first-half goals in this season’s Premier League, a joint high with Liverpool.
Romelu Lukaku has nine top-flight goals against Southampton, the joint-highest figure of his career against any club.
Southampton went on to avoid relegation in the three previous seasons in which they failed to win any of their opening six top-flight games: 1985-86, 1996-97 and 1998-99.
They have lost 17 of 28 Premier League fixtures in 2021, more than any other side.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are winless in eight league matches, failing to score in five of those, including each of the last three.
A ninth top-flight fixture without a win would equal their worst run under Hasenhuttl, set between January and March this year.
The 2-0 win at Sheffield United in March is Southampton’s only win in their past 16 Premier League away games.
Southampton have failed to win any of their opening six league games of a season for the first time since 2009/10 in League One, and the first time in the Premier League since 1998/99.
Southampton’s only away Premier League win in 2021 was at Sheffield United in March. They have suffered 11 league defeats on the road since the turn of the year.
Southampton’s defeat against Wolves means they remain one of five different Premier League teams yet to win in the league this season together with Norwich, Burnley, Leeds and Newcastle. It’s only the second top-flight campaign to see as many winless sides after six matches since 1964/65.
Southampton are one of just two sides (with Man City) yet to concede before half-time in the Premier League this season, with all seven goals against them coming in the second half.
Saints haven’t scored in the league for three games but have only conceded one in that time. Their last goal was a 96th-minute penalty equaliser by James Ward-Prowse on 28 August.
Event details:
NAME: Chelsea – Southampton
DATE: 2 Oct 2021
TIME: 14:00 UTC
VENUE: Stamford Bridge, London, England
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