Chelsea will enter the last month of the Premier League season still under the 40-point mark. A sight that no one could have predicted at the start of the season. For the first time since 1993, the Blues have lost five consecutive games across all competitions and are also winless in the last five league games.
In the last 10 league games CFC has an atrocious record (2W-2D-6L) with a goal difference of -6. Based on the last 10 games Frank Lampard’s men would be 18th in the league. Chelsea’s last win(3-1) was on March 11 against Leicester City at the Foxes’ home ground.
The West Londoners have won 10 games this season and all but one has come against a team above them in the table. A 2-0 win over Aston Villa in October 2022 is the only time this season Chelsea took all three points from a team above them in the table. Necessary to mention that it was a struggling Villa side under Steven Gerrard that Graham Potter’s men faced.
Chelsea has six remaining fixtures and none of them seem easy as four out of the six are against the current top four of the league. It is football and anything can happen in the game. While everything and anything is possible, let’s take a look at what is probable. This might end up being the worst season in the past 30 years for the club.
What’s possible for Chelsea
Arsenal
First up is a London derby against league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates. To still have a chance at the title, The Gunners need to win every remaining game and hope Manchester City drops points somewhere. Mikel Arteta’s side has all the motivation going into the game and will look to bounce back after their heavy defeat against City. Although winless in the last four games, Arsenal has shown serious fight and scored goals in every game. In a derby and still chasing the trophy, Arsenal will be coming at Chelsea with everything they have to push their title charge as far as they can.
Bournemouth
The Blues then take a trip to Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth. The Cherries form is hit-and-miss. They have won three of their last five fixtures, including a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspurs but also lost 4-0 against West Ham United. The West Londoners can take all three points as both the teams have similar records this season and in the reverse fixture Chelsea won 2-0.
Nottingham Forest
On May 13, Nottingham Forest visit Stamford Bridge. The newcomers have struggled all season to keep up with the other teams and have been battling relegation. Out of the six remaining fixtures, if The Blues were favorites to win a game it would be this one. It will not be easy as Forest will be highly motivated to stay up and scrape any points they can. The London side only managed to get a 1-1 draw during their visit to City Ground.
Manchester City
Hunting a three-peat of the league title, Man City will be a very tough outing for Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side has already got the best of the Blues three times this season. Cityzens have scored seven goals in three games against the London side and have kept a clean sheet in every fixture this season. A City side in full stride will be a substantial test and one that Chelsea has failed to pass in the last five meetings. Their last win against Manchester City was the 1-0 Champions League final.
Manchester United
Traveling to the other side of Manchester, the west London side take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. In the hopes of returning to the UEFA Champions League next season and securing a top-four spot, the Red Devils will not be an easy side to take on. At the Bridge, it ended 1-1 with Chelsea’s goal coming from a Jorginho penalty. The last five meetings between the two sides have been drawn.
Newcastle United
For the terminal game of the season the, CFC host Newcastle United. Under Eddie Howe, The Magpies have been a rock-solid side. The team with the best defensive record this season jumped from 11th last season to the top four this season. A return for Champions League football to Saint James’ Park is on the cards and the Newcastle would like to finish their incredible season with a win. The visitors won 1-0 in their previous meeting.
In recent history, May is the month when Chelsea is either competing for titles or looking to secure a top-four finish. This season they will be competing for pride and looking for a finish in the top half of the table.
18 points are up for grabs. To avoid finishing below 50 points, the capital club need 11 points. The Blues have only been able to defeat Bournemouth from the teams they are to go up against next month. Lampard and his team need to win at least three games to ensure they don’t end up being the worst-ever Chels‘ side.