Chelsea now face Southampton in the premier league and Tuchel fired the warning to his players. Chelsea have an uphill task in the second leg against Real, but the process needs a start against Southampton. The Saints are in some decent form as they welcome Chelsea at the weekend in the league.
Southampton sit 12th in the table, level on points with 11th placed Aston Villa. Ralph Hassenhutl has consistently done some excellent work with his side, who can go 9th in the table with a win here. Moreover, Southampton would be more than motivated as Chelsea are on the back of a 3-1 loss against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, they themselves come into this game after a draw with Leeds in the lague last time out.
Southampton Premier League form: W L L L D
Chelsea failed to lock their third place in the table after a shocking 4-1 loss against Brentford last week in the league. The Blues became mere spectators as Brentford ran riot against them at the Stamford Bridge. Furthermore, misery piled up as another home defeat against Real rocked them. Thomas Tuchel had some harsh words for his players as he urged them to react against Southampton.
Chelsea Premier League form: W W W W L
Southampton vs Chelsea: Team News
The Saints’ team news
A very disappointing news from the Southampton camp. In-form striker Armando Broja, who has 6 league goals this term will miss this game. The Chelsea loanee is out due to personal reasons. Further on, center-back Lyanco will sit out the game as well after sustaining a hamstring injury. Alex McCarthy is still out with hamstring injury.
Adam Armstrong could start here, replacing Broja. Ibrahima Diallo had a decent outgoing against Leeds and will be hoping to make the starting eleven here. Same with Romain Perraud could start at left-back if Hussenhtl decides to play shift Kyle Walker-Peters on the right flank.
Southampton possible starting line-up against Chelsea
Forster; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud; Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Elyounoussi; Che Adams, Adam Armstrong
The Blues’ team news
A positive news for Tuchel was that he almost had a fully fit squad against Real Madrid. Same should be expected here, as Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek have returned. However, Callum Hudson-Odoi is a doubt owning to his Achilles tendon problems.
We could see heavy rotations from Tuchel after he witnessed last weekend’s and then mid-week’s collapse. But players in Havertz, Mount and Reece James should be untouched as they were the bright spots. Thiago Silva could also keep his place despite rotations.
Chelsea possible starting line-up against Southampton
Mendy; Chalobah, Silva, Sarr; Reece James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Marcos Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount
Our Prediction
Southampton 2-1 Chelsea
Though Chelsea look favourites on paper, Southampton have the extra motivation. The 90 minutes could be close call, but the Saints can cause an upset. Chelsea are struggling to shrug-off their poor form, and could continue their losing run. Southampton at the moment are playing absolutely convincing football, with Ward-Prowse delivering week-in week-out. Hussenhtl’s men have all the aspects in their favour to bag all three points against Chelsea.
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