Southampton vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Predicted Lineups – Cahill Back, Hazard and Oscar in Starting XI
Chelsea travel to the south coast on Saturday afternoon to face Southampton in another Premier League match after a disappointing loss to PSG in the Champions League and great win against ManStchester City.
Chelsea has endured a loss and a win in the past week – the first suffered 2-1 loss away to PSG and 5 days later they they thrashed Manchester City 5-1 in the FA Cup.
Since Guus Hiidink took over as the Blues interim boss after Jose Mourinho was dismissed, Chelsea have recorded a good form by recording no lose in the nine premier League matches. There last Premier League match was against Newcastle and the managed to record a 5-1 victory.
The Blues have lost just one of their last seven League trips to St. Mary’s, winning four of those matches.
On the other hand, Southampton have only won two of their last 14 meeting with Chelsea including a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture at the Stamford Bridge in OCTOBER.
Speaking ahead of the match, Hiddink said: “They can maintain their clean sheet, but also they can play and surprise their opponent. They have a mix of young players but also players who know the game. That makes them very dangerous.
“It will be a very difficult game getting them out of their clean-sheet comfort zone. It’s up to us to try to annoy them.”
Southampton have not kept a clean sheet against Chelsea in their last 11 top-flight meeting, but manager Ronald Koeman insists that his side will give Hiddink’s boys a tough time.
“Guus Hiddink showed me when I was a player in PSV in detail what you need to play on a high level,” Koeman said. “I always had a good understanding with him. I am looking forward to seeing him on Saturday.”
Southampton will miss the services of Victor Wanyama, who is out serving his second match suspension of five matches. Jay Rodriquez and Florin Gardos will also miss the clash despite resuming training after injuries – they’ve not gained full match fitness.
Chelsea are still without John Terry, who has reportedly resumed training but Hiddink is still reluctant to use him, hence Branisla Ivanovic will have to continue.
Radamel Falcao remains an absentee and Alexandre Pato has not yet been considered for first team football.
With a recent of 5 wins and a single draw in the last 6 matches, Southampton look set to make it seven matches unbeaten in the Premier League and would climb above Manchester United should they avoid defeat.
Chelsea have 2 wins and 4 draws in their last 6 Premier League matches and a win today will send them to the top half on the table.
Predicted Lineups:
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Mikel, Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Southamptom: Forster; Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Davis, Clasie, Ward-Prowse, Mane, Long; Pelle