It’s been a decent start for Chelsea who have lost just one of their opening four Premier League (PL) matches (W2, D1). Their victory last time out against Crystal Palace also handed them their fourth clean sheet in five PL home matches. This is worth noting given that they also secured six clean sheets across their ten home matches vs sides who finished 11th or below last season.
Although the ‘Blues’ have kept just one clean sheet so far this season, they’ve done well restricting shots on their goal. Subsequently, they’ve faced under 3.5 shots on target in three of their four PL fixtures so far, and under 1.5 in the first half in three of the four.
Like in their previous campaign (W1, D1, L2), Southampton have lost two of their opening four PL matches (W2). Across both of those four game sequences, they avoided defeat in each of the two final matches of the run, and they also scored a combined three goals across both of those final two matches in the chain. Additionally, like here, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men also traveled away from home on matchday five last season, winning the fixture 1-0.
The ‘Saints’ lost just two of their five PL away matches vs sides who finished in the top five last season (W2, D1, L2). They scored inside the opening 45 minutes in four of those matches and netted exactly two goals in three of the fixtures.
Players to watch: Chelsea’s Mason Mount scored in his most recent PL appearance, against Southampton last season, and for England against Belgium last week.
Southampton’s Danny Ings has already scored three PL goals this season, and he netted for England vs Wales last week too.
Hot stat: Across their previous five home PL matches, Chelsea has scored a combined four goals in the five minutes before HT (includes stoppage-time).