Chelsea vs Southampton
Date: 02/01/2019
K/O: 19:45
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Referee: Jonathon Moss
Maurizio Sarri will be looking to impress the fans at Stamford Bridge this evening and make up for their last home fixture which saw Leicester take all three points.
After remaining unbeaten with Liverpool and Manchester City for the majority of the beginning of the season, Chelsea have found themselves slipping up in comparison to the other title contenders. With Manchester City in front and Arsenal behind them in the league, every single game is vital for the Blues, not only to keep themselves in the title race but to keep their London rivals beneath them.
Sarri will want to avoid consecutive home defeats as the last time Chelsea lost two home games in a row was back in November 2011. A win today will not change their position, however it will place them two points behind Spurs and one point behind Manchester City, depending on how their result with Liverpool fares tomorrow.
Ralph Hasenhuttl will have other ideas, however. A recent interview with Nathan Redmond saw the Englishman claim that Hasenhuttl’s philosophy and outlook has made the players no longer fear ‘the big teams’ which was evident when they beat Arsenal only a couple of weeks ago.
This mentality is essential for a side hovering in and around the relegation zone. Finishing the year with Manchester City and starting the new year away to Chelsea may not be the most ideal situation for Hasenhuttl as they sit above the relegation zone on goal difference alone. Only nine points separate 20th and 14th so it remains very tight at the bottom of the Premier League.
Chelsea
In their last five meetings Chelsea have emerged victorious which doesn’t fare well for Hasenhuttl’s side. The Christmas period has taken its toll on Chelsea and its latest victim is Olivier Giroud. The French international was seen limping off the field after a challenge from James Tomkins in their win over Crystal Palace.
With Eden Hazard playing in the false nine position this may not worry Sarri too much. However it does reduce the attacking firepower that Giroud would provide coming off the bench.
Cesc Fabregas and Danny Drinkwater will also be unavailable for tonight’s game, which will leave Sarri hopeful that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be fully fit and ready to take on the Saints. Pedro is still out of contention due to the hamstring injury he picked up against Watford which will make way for youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
With no suspensions to deal with Chelsea will still field a very strong team as the players and manager will not want to endure the embarrassment of another home defeat. Chelsea have not held back in the transfer window, already splashing £58m on Christian Pulisic of Dortmund.
However, they have loaned him back until the end of the season, but introducing the winger into the side may foreshadow an exit for Hazard or Willian; all will be revealed within the next couple of transfer windows.
Southampton
Hasenhuttl has said that there are a lot of fresh legs that they can bring in to the game against Chelsea, in an attempt to come away with any points from Stamford Bridge.
Ings, Redmond, Armstrong, Yoshida and Vestergaard will all be available for their clash with the Blues which will be a confidence booster for the players and the fans as they all featured in the two wins against Arsenal and Huddersfield.
One player that they will really miss in the centre of the park in Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg. The Dane has been excellent for the Saints this season, captaining them in a handful of games and even grabbing himself a couple of goals. However, his enthusiasm and tenacity earned him a suspension in their outing against Manchester City after a rash challenge on Fernandinho saw him receive a straight red card. He will no doubt be disappointed as three games out is a lot when fighting for survival.
This absence will allow Lemina and Romeu a chance to see how they work together in the centre of the park. Southampton’s transfer window is yet to provide any news or speculation, but it can be assured that Hasenhuttl will want to strengthen the squad in an attempt to remain in the Premier League.
Predicted Starting XIs
Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpiicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Morata, Hazard.
Southampton (5-2-3): McCarthy, Valery, Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Targett; Lemina, Romeu; Redmond, Ings, Armstrong.
Prediction: Chelsea 2 Southampton 1
After picking up zero points in their last two matches, the Saints will be eager to try and take something away from this game. However, Chelsea’s side I feel are far too strong and experienced for the Saints, and combined with their home record it’s hard to see any other result than a Chelsea win.
