A Blue up North previews our game against Southampton.
Chelsea finally return to the Saturday 3 pm kick-off slot this weekend when they host Southampton at Stamford Bridge. After the comfortable victory at Huddersfield midweek, The Blues are maintaining a run of only one defeat in the last 9 Premier League matches,
They face a Saints side currently lying in 11th place in the league and who have just won once in their previous eight league matches and have not won away in the league since 16 September when they notched up a 1-0 victory at the then pointless and goalless Crystal Palace. However, they have had some good performances in recent matches, most notably at home to Arsenal when only their lack of not converting numerous chances left the door open to a late equaliser which the Gunners barely deserved.
As Antonio Conte’s side continue to focus on narrowing the gap to second-placed Manchester United, the manager has quite a richness of options at his disposal. Will he return the likes of Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas, Danny Drinkwater and Alvaro Morata to the starting line up? Will he keep with the 3-4-3 formation that dominated in the rain on Tuesday or revert to this season’s favoured 3-5-2? With matches still coming at a regular pace, he will undoubtedly continue to utilise the full extent of his squad.
Despite the success of the false nine front three at Huddersfield, a return of both Fabregas and Morata will lean towards a midfield 3 supporting a front 2. Morata has been criticised of late, but in truth, he has been feeding off very few chances. The likes of Kane and Lukaku are squandering far more quality opportunities. Whichever formation and whatever personnel Conte opts for, the striker needs more support and more chances created. A run out at home with two others supporting him instead of just Hazard will inevitably increase his opportunities in front of goal.
Once again we go into a match that Chelsea should dominate and as long as they start with the right amount of impetus, it should be a case of when they can open the scoring. However, they must be wary of allowing the visitors to start strongly and force the upper hand early on. In Charlie Austin, they have an excellent traditional striker who is on a good run of form and looks dangerous. European Champion Ryan Bertrand will play against his former team again and will provide width and crosses while the likes of Dusan Tadic and Shane Long have regularly been a thorn in the side for The Blues.
Overall though and with the right application, Antonio Conte’s side should register a fifth straight home win in the Premier League and move back up to level points with Jose Mourinho’s side. An early goal for The Blues could even see another relatively comfortable victory.
Written by Jon Ellis – A Blue up North – @clitheroeblue
