Southampton - Chelsea: Preview and Lineups Prediction
Chelsea face a difficult trip to the South Coast this Saturday to face a Southampton side which hasn't l...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2016/02/southampton-chelsea-preview-and-lineups.html
The last time Ronald Koeman's men lost a Premier League fixture at the St Mary's Stadium was against Tottenham back in December, and they haven't conceded a single goal in the competition since falling to a 1-0 defeat at Norwich in their first fixture of 2016.
The Blues have also enjoyed a period of convincing performances under the guidance of Guus Hiddink with the only minor blemish coming in the form of a narrow 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the away leg of our Champions League last 16 tie.
The Dutchman's first game in charge against Watford at Vicarage Road is the only other fixture he has overseen away from Stamford Bridge since taking over in December, leaving plenty of reason to wonder how his Chelsea team can perform on the road in the English top-flight.
Southampton Team News
The hosts will be without Florian Gardos and Jay Rodriguez through injury, while Victor Wanyama is suspended.
The hosts will be without Florian Gardos and Jay Rodriguez through injury, while Victor Wanyama is suspended.
Southampton Starting XI Prediction
Forster | Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand | Davis, Ward-Prowse, Clasie, Romeu, Targett | Long, Pelle
Previous Meetings
Chelsea 1-3 Southampton (Premier League, October 2015)
Chelsea 1-1 Southampton (Premier League, March 2015)
Southampton 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League, December 2014)
Southampton 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League, January 2014)
Chelsea 3-1 Southampton (Premier League, December 2013)
Southampton 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League, March 2013)
Score Prediction
Contrary to my gut feeling after the confirmation of John Terry's injury layoff, his absence seemingly hasn't disrupted Chelsea's momentum at all. (Will he be on form for Euro 2016?)
The Blues have maintained the newfound confidence Hiddink brought with him following Jose Mourinho's departure, and the players have adjusted to his philosophy with virtually no trouble whatsoever.
Although our 5-1 thumping of Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend was against what looked like Manuel Pellegrini's six-choice side, the result is certainly another important boost for our morale.
Chelsea must focus on stringing together more positive performances ahead of the home leg against PSG – not to mention sustaining their current standard of play right up until the final whistle on the last day of the season.
I think we can get a 1-0 win on the South Coast. What are your score predictions? Will you bet on Chelsea or Southampton for the win?
Forster | Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand | Davis, Ward-Prowse, Clasie, Romeu, Targett | Long, Pelle
Previous Meetings
Chelsea 1-3 Southampton (Premier League, October 2015)
Chelsea 1-1 Southampton (Premier League, March 2015)
Southampton 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League, December 2014)
Southampton 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League, January 2014)
Chelsea 3-1 Southampton (Premier League, December 2013)
Southampton 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League, March 2013)
Score Prediction
Contrary to my gut feeling after the confirmation of John Terry's injury layoff, his absence seemingly hasn't disrupted Chelsea's momentum at all. (Will he be on form for Euro 2016?)
The Blues have maintained the newfound confidence Hiddink brought with him following Jose Mourinho's departure, and the players have adjusted to his philosophy with virtually no trouble whatsoever.
Although our 5-1 thumping of Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend was against what looked like Manuel Pellegrini's six-choice side, the result is certainly another important boost for our morale.
Chelsea must focus on stringing together more positive performances ahead of the home leg against PSG – not to mention sustaining their current standard of play right up until the final whistle on the last day of the season.
I think we can get a 1-0 win on the South Coast. What are your score predictions? Will you bet on Chelsea or Southampton for the win?
