Chelsea will be hoping to continue the unbeaten home record this season when we take on Southampton, who have been a surprise package in the Premier League so far. The wheels of Mauricio Pochettino’s team appear to be falling off in recent weeks. Only last weekend, Arsenal brought an end to their eight-match winning run, while they also have just one win in the last five away matches.
Video: Mourinho’s pre-match press conference ahead of Southampton
Chelsea’s poor display against Basel may force a return to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Mourinho has employed his favourite 4-3-3 in the last two matches.
Team news:
After a very tired display against FC Basel, Jose Mourinho is expected to make changes to the starting line-up. Juan Mata has been sorely missed in recent weeks and he could return in the place of Oscar. Schurrle may also come back to the team. The injury to Samuel Eto’o, who could be out for up to 2 weeks, is likely to make Fernando Torres the starter. David Luiz has once again been ruled out with a knee injury.
Guly, Jack Cork, and Dejan Lovren are the injury worries for Pochettino.
Predicted Line-ups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Mikel, Schurrle, Mata, Hazard, Torres
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Boruc, Shaw, Fonte, Lovren, Clyne, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Rodriguez, Lallana, Ward-Prowse, Lambert
Prediction:
Last season, Southampton managed to take four points against us and a repeat of the same would be disastrous. Arsenal’s win on Saturday moves them seven points clear of Chelsea and a win is a must for Mourinho’s men to stay in the title race.
This factor is expected to push the players towards a spirited display and when Chelsea are playing with urgency, it is difficult for any team to defend against.
Southampton should provide a stern resistance, but expect Chelsea’s attacking force to come good this time around.
Chelsea 3-1 Southampton
What will be your predicted lineups and score?
I no dat is going 2 will 2 day match
We need mata and schurrle and edin hazard in our attackin.
with dis line up… chelsea is going to win d match,except if mourinho change it
chelsea is one of best team in europe but today match chelsea 3-4 soton
Eden hazard the greatest of all time
We need essien to tighten the midfield
Pls we need mata to give our strikers goals we need to to stop losing matches
morihno has no excuse for chelsea` poor run of form. Chelsea recrut the best. My greatest problem is why should Lampard at 35 starting all matches. Ivanovic is under performing, Azpilicuta Ceaser is a far better right back than Ivanovic.
Chelsea 3 southampton 1
i think with this squad we can go all the way…u bluez
chelsea will win 2- 0
Chelsea is in form both epl today is weaning che 3 Seth 1
we will do it.
chalsea will win 3
chelsea is my best since 2004