Have to give credit where it's due, Chelsea have played very well since switching to a 3-4-3 late on against Arsenal. I said preseason I think Conte is the best coach in the league, simply because he can set his teams up a number of ways and can change to suit the opposition. Most managers are too stubborn to do that. While this was a test, I think we'll see whether Chelsea are genuine contenders or just having a good run when they play Spurs and Man City at the end of November, beginning of December. I personally don't see how a 2-man midfield will be helpful against a full strength Arsenal, City or Spurs. It almost guarantees opposition domination and a reliance on counter attacks. Maybe we'll see a switch to 3-5-2 for those games since it was Conte's favoured formation at Juve and with Italy. Chelsea's next game against Everton will be interesting. A clash of 2 great tacticians.
@SteveHyland Totally agree mate.... Think that the 3-5-2 will be very useful against the big sides... Everton this week is another huge game and one that if Chelsea wins will be another sign to the contenders Chelsea mean business.
Chelsea are presenting them self as a real and perfect title contender. Congrat to conte and chelsea fans. they are aware of every detail this is why they r balanced and have too many (8) in their rating.
Moses is keeping his high (tactical) performance .
Hazard was brilliant today. As was Kante. Chelsea defended well as a unit. I thought Austin was unlucky not to score (had the ball in the net, very marginal offside). Chelsea deserved to win. 1-2 would have been a fair result.
1-1 I think is a wise prediction looking at Southampton's defensive record and home record.
Redmond has often playing as the central striker, with Austin on the left in a 4-3-2-1 (a narrow front three). I think if Boufal plays from the start then he plays on the left and Austin stays central..it becomes more 4-3-3 and the front three interchange less for with Boufal than Redmond probably. I am interesting to see how Southampton can cope with this system. Man City played a similar one and were all over Southampton a lot of that game, although Man City didn't create many clear chances in that game they did create big pressure..
Both teams to score. Southampton are a good side but I think their attack is clueless where the goal is. Last time out last season. They lost at home in a tense match where they were leading only to concede on stoppage time a goal from set piece from John Terry. It was a match where they were favorites. If you want to cause Chelsea problems you gonna play at the wings. The flanks. They're very susceptible to this. Leave the mediocre formation of wing backs. They have problems with this. This guy Soffiane Befoul he's a great guy. He doesn't miss the target. He's soo spot on. Last 6 shots. 6 on target. 5 goals. 1 save by keeper. I think of the guy is ready he can give Southampton a win. At the moment both teams to score is a good bet
It will be interesting to see how Southampton is going to line up now on as Boufal is finally ready. 4-3-1-2 will probably turn into more of plan B as playing Boufal out wide could get the best out of him, although I could see him playing as floating striker like Redmond this season. Saint could change to 4-2-3-1 with Boufla-Tadic-Redmond playing behind striker but something tells me they aren't giving up on three man midfield just yet so it's likely they'll field 4-3-3 and drop Redmond for this one as Tadic has been great this season, I hope his creativity turns into assists at some point. Still very undervalued player, although he could find some more consistency into his efforts. I doubt Saints will get many points here because of their full back situation and Chelsea's form. But I do believe Chelsea will concede this time (although I'm considering Marcos Alonso into my Fantasy team). 1-2
Southampton is a very good team. I saw their last game vs Man City their defence is really really good even when under severe pressure the defenders seem to engage in very dangerous tackles but they always come out clean and getting the ball. Their attacking players are very good on counter attack making very good runs occasionally. Their midfield however is horrendous. They fail to control the game often misplacing passes and making bad decisions which often lead to counter-attacks (as I witnessed in Man City game). Chelsea's midfield will control this game as they usually do. The midweek game means literally nothing since 7 players were rested. If Chelsea controls the game and puts Southampton under pressure they will create good opportunities. It only remains the question of "will they put it away". If Chelsea use their chances they will win 1-0 maybe 2-0 if they fail to score, they will eventually put even more numbers forward, make a mistake, concede and lose 0-1.
C'mon guys. The Saints have the second best defensive record in the EPL. It is very unlikely that they will concede 2 goals at home. The most likely results are: 1-1, 0-0, or 1-0. As a Saints fan, I will predict (i.e., hope) a 1-0 home win.
@Saintsfaninoz Tottenham have the best defensive record with only 4 conceded goals. But true Southampton is very good defensively. It is unlikely Chelsea will put 2 past Saints at home. However, it was also unlikely that Chelsea would beat Man U by 4 goals last Sunday. It did happen though. Conte tends to be unpredictable unlike Mourinho or Wenger.
Have to give credit where it's due, Chelsea have played very well since switching to a 3-4-3 late on against Arsenal. I said preseason I think Conte is the best coach in the league, simply because he can set his teams up a number of ways and can change to suit the opposition. Most managers are too stubborn to do that. While this was a test, I think we'll see whether Chelsea are genuine contenders or just having a good run when they play Spurs and Man City at the end of November, beginning of December. I personally don't see how a 2-man midfield will be helpful against a full strength Arsenal, City or Spurs. It almost guarantees opposition domination and a reliance on counter attacks. Maybe we'll see a switch to 3-5-2 for those games since it was Conte's favoured formation at Juve and with Italy. Chelsea's next game against Everton will be interesting. A clash of 2 great tacticians.
@SteveHyland Totally agree mate.... Think that the 3-5-2 will be very useful against the big sides... Everton this week is another huge game and one that if Chelsea wins will be another sign to the contenders Chelsea mean business.
Chelsea are presenting them self as a real and perfect title contender. Congrat to conte and chelsea fans. they are aware of every detail this is why they r balanced and have too many (8) in their rating. Moses is keeping his high (tactical) performance .
Hazard was brilliant today. As was Kante. Chelsea defended well as a unit. I thought Austin was unlucky not to score (had the ball in the net, very marginal offside). Chelsea deserved to win. 1-2 would have been a fair result.
where is Boufal???
Southampton win 2-1 chelsea
Chelsea Win 2-0
1-1 I think is a wise prediction looking at Southampton's defensive record and home record. Redmond has often playing as the central striker, with Austin on the left in a 4-3-2-1 (a narrow front three). I think if Boufal plays from the start then he plays on the left and Austin stays central..it becomes more 4-3-3 and the front three interchange less for with Boufal than Redmond probably. I am interesting to see how Southampton can cope with this system. Man City played a similar one and were all over Southampton a lot of that game, although Man City didn't create many clear chances in that game they did create big pressure..
Both teams to score. Southampton are a good side but I think their attack is clueless where the goal is. Last time out last season. They lost at home in a tense match where they were leading only to concede on stoppage time a goal from set piece from John Terry. It was a match where they were favorites. If you want to cause Chelsea problems you gonna play at the wings. The flanks. They're very susceptible to this. Leave the mediocre formation of wing backs. They have problems with this. This guy Soffiane Befoul he's a great guy. He doesn't miss the target. He's soo spot on. Last 6 shots. 6 on target. 5 goals. 1 save by keeper. I think of the guy is ready he can give Southampton a win. At the moment both teams to score is a good bet
It will be interesting to see how Southampton is going to line up now on as Boufal is finally ready. 4-3-1-2 will probably turn into more of plan B as playing Boufal out wide could get the best out of him, although I could see him playing as floating striker like Redmond this season. Saint could change to 4-2-3-1 with Boufla-Tadic-Redmond playing behind striker but something tells me they aren't giving up on three man midfield just yet so it's likely they'll field 4-3-3 and drop Redmond for this one as Tadic has been great this season, I hope his creativity turns into assists at some point. Still very undervalued player, although he could find some more consistency into his efforts. I doubt Saints will get many points here because of their full back situation and Chelsea's form. But I do believe Chelsea will concede this time (although I'm considering Marcos Alonso into my Fantasy team). 1-2
Draw BTTS
Hatrick for Costa. one of them will be a penaulty. 1-3
@buthethi he is not even on pens , my bet he will be suspended vs everton
Southampton is a very good team. I saw their last game vs Man City their defence is really really good even when under severe pressure the defenders seem to engage in very dangerous tackles but they always come out clean and getting the ball. Their attacking players are very good on counter attack making very good runs occasionally. Their midfield however is horrendous. They fail to control the game often misplacing passes and making bad decisions which often lead to counter-attacks (as I witnessed in Man City game). Chelsea's midfield will control this game as they usually do. The midweek game means literally nothing since 7 players were rested. If Chelsea controls the game and puts Southampton under pressure they will create good opportunities. It only remains the question of "will they put it away". If Chelsea use their chances they will win 1-0 maybe 2-0 if they fail to score, they will eventually put even more numbers forward, make a mistake, concede and lose 0-1.
1-1 scoreline.
C'mon guys. The Saints have the second best defensive record in the EPL. It is very unlikely that they will concede 2 goals at home. The most likely results are: 1-1, 0-0, or 1-0. As a Saints fan, I will predict (i.e., hope) a 1-0 home win.
@Saintsfaninoz Tottenham have the best defensive record with only 4 conceded goals. But true Southampton is very good defensively. It is unlikely Chelsea will put 2 past Saints at home. However, it was also unlikely that Chelsea would beat Man U by 4 goals last Sunday. It did happen though. Conte tends to be unpredictable unlike Mourinho or Wenger.
1-2 Chelsea. Hazard or Willian to score.
This is a game where Chelsea could drop points! I think a draw will be most likely outcome from this game!
Tough game, but Chelsea seems unstoppable at the moment so narrow win for them. 0-2
2-2