Chelsea, under the astute guidance of Enzo Maresca, travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face a struggling Southampton side on Wednesday night in the Premier League.
The Blues enter the fixture on a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and are brimming with confidence after their dominant 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Southampton sit rock-bottom in the table, battling injuries and suspensions, making this clash an uphill battle for the Saints.
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The blues are finding their groove under Maresca, whose tactical adjustments have breathed life into a squad loaded with talent. Their latest string of results includes a commanding win over Aston Villa and a hard-fought draw against Arsenal, showcasing both their attacking flair and defensive solidity.
The Blues haven’t lost in the league since their October defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Now sitting level on points with Arsenal in third place, Chelsea seem poised to sustain their momentum. While Maresca has played down title aspirations, a strong run through December could see the Blues emerge as dark horses in the race.
Joao Felix and Noni Madueke are expected to feature prominently against Southampton, adding creative depth to Chelsea’s already potent attack. Despite Wesley Fofana’s recent injury setback, the partnership of Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile is expected to hold firm, while Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling offer dynamism from wide positions.
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It’s been a challenging season for Southampton, who are languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table. Despite occasional flashes of promise, including a narrow loss to Liverpool and a hard-fought draw against Brighton, Russell Martin’s side has struggled for consistency. The Saints’ hopes of competing against Chelsea are further diminished by an availability crisis.
Key players like Tyler Dibling, Flynn Downes, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are suspended, while Lesley Ugochukwu is ineligible to face his parent club. Injuries to Adam Lallana and Will Smallbone leave Southampton’s midfield lacking creativity and control. Backup goalkeeper Joe Lumley is set to start in place of Aaron Ramsdale, adding another layer of uncertainty for the Saints.
Southampton’s lineup is expected to feature a defensive 5-4-1 formation, with Ryan Fraser and Stuart Armstrong tasked with providing support to lone striker Cameron Archer. While their work ethic cannot be questioned, the absence of key players makes this a daunting challenge for the hosts.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Southampton and Chelsea have faced off in closely contested matches over recent years, with the Saints narrowly edging the last five encounters with three wins to Chelsea’s two. However, this season paints a different picture, with the Blues in fine form and Southampton in dire straits.
- Southampton’s Last Five Matches (All Competitions):
- Brighton 1-1 Southampton
- Southampton 2-3 Liverpool
- Wolves 2-0 Southampton
- Southampton 1-0 Everton
- Southampton 3-2 Stoke
- Chelsea’s Last Five Matches (All Competitions):
- Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
- Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea
- Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
- Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
- Chelsea 8-0 Noah
While Southampton have shown resilience in patches, their defensive vulnerabilities and lack of squad depth have cost them crucial points. The blues, on the other hand, are building a well-rounded identity under Maresca, blending a solid defense with fluid attacking play.
Predicted Lineups
Southampton (5-4-1):
GK: Joe Lumley
DEF: Sugawara, Walker-Peters, Stephens, Wood, Manning
MID: Fraser, Aribo, Mateus Fernandes, Armstrong
FWD: Cameron Archer
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
GK: Robert Sanchez
DEF: Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella
MID: Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia
ATT: Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Joao Felix
FWD: Nicolas Jackson
Key Players to Watch
- Eberechi Eze (Chelsea): With his creativity and ability to unlock defenses, Eze has been the engine of Chelsea’s midfield. His partnership with Cole Palmer could be instrumental in breaking down Southampton’s defensive setup.
- Ryan Fraser (Southampton): If the Saints are to pull off an upset, Fraser’s pace and delivery from the flanks will be crucial in creating opportunities for Cameron Archer.
- Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea): The striker is finding his form and will look to add to his goal tally against a vulnerable Southampton defense.
Score Prediction
Given the contrasting form and squad depth of both sides, this fixture is heavily tilted in Chelsea’s favor. Southampton’s injury and suspension woes only add to their challenges, making it hard to see them keeping the Blues at bay. The blue’s attacking prowess, combined with their defensive organization, should see them cruise to victory.
jambobet Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Chelsea
How to Watch
- United Kingdom: Amazon Prime Video
- United States: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada
