Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) and Willian. (Photo : Reuters)
Last season's champions Chelsea (2-3-2, 8 points) would like to extend its two-game unbeaten run as it hosts middling team Southampton (2-2-3, 9 points) for a 2015-2016 Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 3.
The defending champs may not be headed for an easy repeat this season after their lackluster start, but manager Jose Mourinho would really want to escape a humiliating relegation.
Much of the Blues' troubles came from their inability to stop goals because of an aging backfield. They allowed 14 goals scored against them so far, second most behind cellar-dweller Sunderland who has 16.
They almost lost again in their last match versus lowly squad Newcastle United but managed to salvage a 2-2 draw behind the late efforts of Brazilians Ramires and Willian, as per ESPN.
Meanwhile, Southampton pulled out a win over the reeling Swansea City, 3-1, at St. Mary's Stadium last Saturday, via SkySports.
Virgil van Dijk, Dusan Tadic, and Sadio Mane converted goals at the 11th, 54th, and 61st-minute marks to move up 3-0 before midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson managed to put the Swans on the board with a penalty kick at the 83rd minute.
Mourinho and his crew are expected to douse the Saints' first win in three games as they try to move up the overall standings.
Prediction: Chelsea wins, 2-1.
Betting odds: Chelsea (-105), Southampton (+400), draw (+300), via Bovada
Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Begovic; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Ivanovic; Hazard, Pedro; Oscar, Matic, Fàbregas; Remy
Southampton starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Stekelenburg; van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Soares; Tadic, Ward-Prowse; Mané, Davis, Wanyama; Pellè
