Southampton vs Chelsea Preview, Forecasts, and Top Wagers: A Look Ahead at the Matchup
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Get ready for an exhilarating midweek clash between Southampton and Chelsea! The Saints are struggling, sitting rock bottom with ten losses in thirteen league matches, while the Blues are soaring, joint-second in the table.
Southampton's Struggles Continue
With a 2-0 lead against Leicester slipping away at home, Southampton fought hard in a 1-0 defeat at Man City. They've managed two victories since then: a 3-2 home win versus Stoke in the Carabao Cup and a 1-0 home league victory over Everton. However, before the international break, they lost 2-0 at Wolves and 3-2 at home to Liverpool, allowing 27 shots and 3.15 Expected Goals in that defeat. Their last match was a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Brighton despite being outshot 22-10 by the Seagulls.
Injury Woes for Southampton
Russell Martin is dealing with numerous absences, as Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, Lesley Ugochukwu, Adam Lallana, and Jan Bednarek are all unavailable. Aaron Ramsdale has a broken finger, leaving Gavin Bazunu out, with Joe Lumley set to deputize.
Chelsea's Consistent Performance
The Blues have lost just one of their last nine matches and are third in the table. After beating Newcastle 2-1 at home in the league, they lost 2-0 away to the Magpies in the Carabao Cup. A 1-1 draw at Man Utd was followed by an 8-0 thrashing of Norwegian side Noah in the Europa Conference League. Before the FIFA break, they drew 1-1 at home with Arsenal. Since then, they've secured three straight wins: 2-1 at Leicester, 2-0 at Heidenheim in the Conference League, and 3-0 over Aston Villa.
Chelsea's Squad Challenges
Wesley Fofana is out due to a hamstring injury, and Reece James' injury could see Malo Gusto enter the XI. Nicolas Jackson is close to suspension but is expected to start. Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk could provide fresh options for attack.
Predicted Outcome
Although Southampton are a possession-heavy team, their current form and injury woes make them heavy underdogs against Chelsea. The Blues, with a superior squad and European qualification motivations, are likely to dominate possession and scoring chances. A predicted scoreline in line with Fulham's projected 2-0 win over Southampton would not be unlikely, but Chelsea’s superior firepower could widen the margin. pixels.space/p/t9EXGmKcMih3iKwAAdNE
- In the midst of Premier League action, Southampton's upcoming fixture against Chelsea promises to be an exciting encounter.
- Struggling Southampton, currently at the bottom of the table, face Chelsea, who are soaring, joint-second in the league.
- Despite a 3-2 victory against Stoke in the Carabao Cup and a 1-0 win over Everton in the league, Southampton have been inconsistent, losing 2-0 at Wolves and 3-2 at home to Liverpool recently.
- Chelsea, on the other hand, have been in fine form, losing just one of their last nine matches and sitting third in the table.
- Southampton's injury woes, with players like Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes, Lesley Ugochukwu, Adam Lallana, and Jan Bednarek unavailable, could play a significant role in the outcome of the fixture.
- Football analysis predicts that Chelsea, with their superior squad and motivations for European qualification, are likely to dominate possession and scoring chances against Southampton.
- The predicted scoreline for this fixture, reminiscent of Fulham's projected 2-0 win over Southampton, could be in favor of Chelsea, with their superior firepower potentially widening the margin.
