Chelsea and Southampton will face off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in a crucial Premier League encounter. Both teams are desperate to return to winning ways, but for very different reasons. Chelsea are looking to reignite their top-four hopes, while Southampton are fighting for survival at the foot of the table.
Chelsea’s Recent Form
Chelsea’s season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in recent weeks. After briefly challenging for the title, the Blues have slipped to seventh in the table, winning just two of their last ten Premier League games. Their latest setback, a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, extended their losing streak to three matches across all competitions.
Enzo Maresca’s side are struggling for consistency, and the pressure is mounting as they aim to salvage their season. A win against Southampton is crucial to keep their hopes of European qualification alive.
Southampton’s Struggles
Southampton’s season has been nothing short of disastrous. The Saints have managed just two wins in 26 Premier League games and sit at the bottom of the table, 13 points adrift of safety. Ivan Jurić’s side are in desperate need of a miracle to avoid relegation.
Their recent form offers little hope, with Southampton failing to win any of their last five league games. However, they did secure a rare away victory in their last Premier League outing, beating Ipswich Town 2-1. Can they build on that result and pull off a shock at Stamford Bridge?
Team News and Tactics
Chelsea
Chelsea’s injury crisis continues to worsen, with Trevoh Chalobah the latest addition to the list. He joins Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Omari Kellyman, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, and Marc Guiu on the sidelines. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended.
Maresca is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation. Filip Jorgensen will start in goal, with Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella forming the backline. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Moisés Caicedo will anchor the midfield, while Enzo Fernández operates as the number 10.
In attack, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto will provide width, with Christopher Nkunku leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Nkunku
Southampton
Southampton’s injury list is also growing, with Jan Bednarek joining Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ross Stewart, Adam Lallana, Ryan Fraser, and Lesley Ugochukwu on the sidelines.
Jurić is likely to set up his team in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal, with Joe Aribo, Armel Bella-Kotchap, and James Bree forming the back three. Yukinari Sugawara and Kyle Walker-Peters will operate as wing-backs.
In midfield, Will Smallbone and Albert Grønbaek will pair up, with Mateus Fernandes as the number 10. Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana will lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Aribo, Bella-Kotchap, Bree; Sugawara, Grønbaek, Smallbone, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Onuachu, Sulemana
Key Stats
- Chelsea have lost two of their last three Premier League games against Southampton.
- The Blues have won 11 of their last 14 Premier League matches against teams starting the day bottom of the table.
- Southampton won their last away game in the Premier League, ending a 19-game winless run on the road.
- Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 home league games.
- Southampton have not won consecutive away league games against Chelsea since March 1985.
Player to Watch: Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season, but his recent dip in form has coincided with the team’s struggles. The English international will need to rediscover his best form to help Chelsea break their losing streak. His creativity and goal-scoring ability will be crucial against a vulnerable Southampton defense.
Chelsea vs Southampton Prediction
Chelsea’s quality and home advantage should see them through this clash, despite their recent struggles. Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of confidence make it difficult to see them pulling off an upset.
Chelsea 3-1 Southampton
Chelsea vs Southampton Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247 TV
