After a crazy week of European football, the spotlight again shifts to the English Premier League, as we approach the business end of the season. Matchday 25 sees the blues from Chelsea travel to the St Mary’s to face Southampton – here is your preview.
Both teams are in extremely contrasting forms. While Chelsea is unbeaten in 5 games since manager Thomas Tuchel was appointed, the Saints have lost each of their last 6 league games, conceding a staggering 20 goals in that process. The blues, on the other hand, have conceded just once in the “Tuchel era“, which was an own goal against Sheffield. As a result of this bright run of games, Chelsea finds itself in the top 4. Southampton sits on 13th but could fall to as low as 16th with results going against them.
MUST READ: 5 Things Learnt from Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea so far
When & Where?
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium.
Date: Saturday, 20th February 2021.
Time: 12:30 PM (GMT).
Predicted line-ups:
Kyle Walker-Peters went off injured last game and thus he is expected to miss out. He is expected to be replaced by 21-year-old Ghanaian Mohammed Salisu, as he was in the 72nd minute against Wolves.
Southampton: Alex McCarthy, Jan Bednarek, Jannik Vestergaard, Mohammed Salisu, Stuart Armstrong, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Ryan Bertrand, Takumi Minamino, Danny Ings, Che Adams.
Tuchel confirmed that Mendy will return. Returns for James and Kante are expected too. Silva and Havertz are not expected to be risked before an important game vs Atletico.
Chelsea: Edouard Mendy, Marcos Alonso, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Cristensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, N’ Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Oliver Giroud.
