Two Premier League teams struggling for form do battle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Chelsea play host to managerless Southampton.

The new era of Chelsea has got off to a rocky start with boss Graham Potter constantly fielding questions about his supposed lack of job security after posting Chelsea’s worst Premier League (PL) position at this stage of the season since 2015/16. The noise from the club indicates Potter is a long-term project though, and with a four-game unbeaten run of league games (W1, D3), there is progress of sorts.

Making over £300m worth of signings all work together is a massive task, so patience is required from the Blues’ faithful. That could come at a short-term loss though, with Chelsea’s preparations for this clash hampered by a midweek UEFA Champions League defeat to Dortmund (1-0) and an immediate resurgence is now needed following that result as Chelsea aim to cut the eight-point gap to the top-five.

While the Blues have won only one of their nine fixtures in all competitions since the turn of the year, the Saints have lost nine of their last 10 top-flight games.

Three valuable points are up for grabs at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and both teams are in desperate need of a victory in their quest to turn their fortunes around.

Southampton will hope that the change in the dugout with immediately spark a revival against a side that they have already beaten this season, but considering the plethora of quality options at Potter’s disposal, we expect Chelsea to finally click and provide the home supporters with something to cheer.

Chelsea Premier League form:

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Chelsea form (all competitions):

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Southampton Premier League form:

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Southampton form (all competitions):

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Whoever the Saints hierarchy end up choosing to fill the Jones-shaped void, they must get it right as they’re currently in freefall, losing a PL-high six games since the World Cup restart and ahead of the round.

Working on their leaky defence would probably be a good start as Southampton have recorded just one clean sheet across their last 28 league games, conceding a startling ten goals across their last five PL away trips.

Players to watch: For all of their money spent this year, Chelsea’s Mason Mount could be pivotal here if he can keep his average of one goal contribution per PL H2H with Southampton intact (G4, A1).

As for Southampton, Romeo Lavia netted his only senior club goal against Chelsea in the 2-1 reverse win, yet he’s more likely to be shown a card with four yellows in 13 PL appearances this term.

Hot stat: Graham Potter has won just five of his 24 PL games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone (W5, D13, L6).

Jones departs Southampton after losing nine of his 14 games in charge, leaving them at the foot of the table and four points adrift of safety, and the search for his successor continues after talks with former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch broke down earlier this week.

In the meantime, Ruben Selles has been placed in temporary charge of the first team for this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge and the 39-year-old will be hoping that his side can replicate the performance in their last meeting with Chelsea earlier this season.

Indeed, the second of four Southampton victories in the Premier League this season came against Chelsea back in August when goals from Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong secured a 2-1 victory at St Mary’s, and the Saints will complete their first league double over the Blues since the 1987-88 campaign if they come out on top again on Saturday.

Although head coach Graham Potter seemingly has the support of Chelsea’s hierarchy, a torrid run of just three victories in their last 16 matches across all competitions is a major cause for concern.

After drawing three successive Premier League games against Liverpool, Fulham and West Ham United, the Blues suffered a slender 1-0 defeat away against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, with Karim Adeyemi scoring a stunning solo goal in the 63rd minute.

Once again, Chelsea lacked a cutting edge in the final third and despite spending over £600m on new recruits in the last two transfer windows, the failure to bring in a natural number nine has come back to haunt them.

Indeed, the West Londoners have scored in only five of their last 14 matches across all tournaments, while they have found the net just 23 times in 22 Premier League games so far this term.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was surprising used in the back three last weekend, but either Caleta-Car, Bella-Kotchap or Lyanco will likely replace the Arsenal loanee, while Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu are set to retain their places in the first XI.

Club-record signing Kamaldeen Sulemana showed glimpses of his quality against Wolves and he is expected to continue in attack, while Che Adams will be pushing to start ahead of Paul Onuachu.

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Arrizabalaga; James, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez; Madueke, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Bazunu; Caleta-Car, Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Alcaraz, Perraud; Sulemana, Adams