Southampton vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting Tips (4 December)

In great difficulty for its return to the elite, Southampton are quite simply last in the Premier League with only 5 points taken in 13 games. The red lantern is not yet completely won, 4 lengths behind the first non-relegation place but we will quickly have to find solutions. The Saints pocketed their only success against Everton in early November 1-0. Since then, they have fallen back into their bad ways. Southampton lost to Wolverhampton 2-0 and Liverpool 2-3 before drawing at Brighton last weekend 1-1.

Not at the level in the two previous years, Chelsea are coming back to life under the leadership of Enzo Maresca this season. Dropping from leader Liverpool, the London team still occupies 3rd place in the Premier League with 2 points ahead of 5th place, not qualifying for the next Champions League. Beaten undeservedly in the lair of Liverpool on October 20 2-1, the Blues have been moving forward at a brisk pace since 3 wins and 2 draws. After sharing points with Manchester United 1-1 and Arsenal 1-1, they got the better of Leicester 1-2 and Aston Villa last weekend 3-0.

Several elements are missing for Southampton this week. Taking their place in the infirmary are the goalkeepers Ramsdale (starter this season) and Bazunu (starters last season, long-term injured), the long-term absentee Larios, the potential starters Bednarek (defender), Smallbone and Lallana (midfielders) and replacement Stewart. The sparingly used striker Onuachu is, for his part, uncertain. Southampton have the worst attack in the championship.

The Chelsea coach still cannot count on the important but fragile right-back Reece James and the long-term absent striker Kellyman, who are injured. Both scorers on the last day, attackers Palmer (8 goals and 6 assists in PL) and Jackson (8 goals and 3 assists in PL) should be associated again. Argentinian international Enzo Fernandez (2 goals and 5 assists in his last 4 matches with the Blues) has had a string of good performances in recent weeks.