Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Chelsea v Southampton
Mark Lawrenson looks ahead to Chelsea's clash with Southampton on Saturday afternoon
Mark Lawrenson is expecting to see Chelsea claim a 2-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday in front of their home fans.
Antonio Conte’s men returned to winning ways in the top flight on Tuesday night when they claimed a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town.
That result followed their disappointing 1-0 loss to West Ham United at the London Stadium last weekend.
Chelsea have it all to do in the Premier League title race, with Conte’s men currently third in the table and 14 points behind the leaders Manchester City.
However, former Liverpool FC star Lawrenson is tipping the Blues to make it back to back wins in the top flight by beating Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “Chelsea responded to their defeat by West Ham by getting a really good result at Huddersfield on Tuesday – despite not having a recognised striker in their starting XI.
“Southampton looked good against Arsenal at the weekend, but they were well beaten by Leicester on Wednesday.
“Saints have only won one of their past eight league games, and it is hard to see that record improving at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea won the Premier League title last season under Conte but they did not have the distraction of any European football.
The west London side will take on Barcelona in the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition after the draw was made in Nyon on Monday.
Chelsea have already lost four of their opening 17 Premier League games this season to leave their title defence in doubt after they won the trophy in two of the last three seasons.
