Southampton FC vs Chelsea FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Southampton FC vs Chelsea FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Last time out, the Saints were part of Friday night football which backfired against them because of a controversial VAR call. The team who has lost all 9 away games felt like they could’ve and should’ve taken all 3 points. This obstructed them from what would’ve been only their second win of the season, as Martin’s men are still in search of answers at the bottom of the table. They looked to play more directly at times here, but too often this amounted to aimless crosses and set-pieces hoofed into the Brighton area to no end. 

The Blues are on a rampant run, set to chase league leaders Liverpool. No manager across the top-2 tiers of English football has won more matches than the Italian himself. Enzo Maresca has won 38 of his 59 games in charge of both Chelsea and Leicester. 

Blues owners Clearlake Capital seem to have found the right man for the job, with the right team. Against Villa, Chelsea were dominant with 64% ball possession. The players look very comfortable on the ball and Maresca's ideas resonate completely within the squad. The only downside to Sunday’s fixture being an injury to Wesley Fofana. But, the Blues have more than enough firepower with a boastful bench that will look to inflict damage on their southern counterparts. 

Head to Head Record - Both teams have played 84 games. The Saints have won 22, the Blues have won 40, with 22 ending in a draw. 

Standings - Southampton sit in last spot with 5 points. The Blues are 3rd with 25 points. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Southampton FC Preview

This fixture really throws the Saints into a tight spot. Southampton could be without 11 of their first team players and that isn’t helpful knowing where they stand on the table. Talisman Tyler is one of the players who is suspended. Comparisons between the 18 year old and when Jack Grealish started attracting attention proves plausible. The Saints need him to be stepping up every game, as he rightly is. The Saints might look vulnerable in defence, but they are a threat going forward. Russel Martin needs to rectify and restore a stable backline if he wishes to continue in this competition, because as much as football is about scoring the most goals, it’s also about conceding fewer to win the game. 

Suspensions prove costly

Russell Martin is unable to call upon three of his pivotal players because they’ve been shown a 5th yellow card of the season. According to the law, a 5th yellow card calls for a one match suspension. Missing out on Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling is a massive blow to the Saints. These players have been mainstays in Martin’s squad. He will need his substitutes to step up at St.Mary’s when the mighty Blues arrive. 

Injury - Bazunu, Stewart, Smallbone, Ramsdale, Lallana, Onuachu and Larios are all out injured.

Southampton Probable Line Up : Lumley (GK), Sugawara, Walker-Peters, Wood, Stephens, Manning (DEF), Fraser, Aribo, Mateus Fernandes, Armstrong (MID), Archer (FWD).

Chelsea FC Preview

Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez helped Chelsea perch themselves right at the higher end of the table. The Senegalese put the Blues ahead within 7 minutes against Aston Villa with a fine finish. Enzo Fernandez then joined the party by vollying home in the 36th minute. Palmer and Jackson now both have 8 goals each for Chelsea. Maresca’s men have scored as many goals as Arsenal and Liverpool in 13 games, but still trail Liverpool by a goal difference of 6. 

A Team Display

Last season, Mauricio Pochettino tried his very best to not make it ‘The Cole Palmer Team’. But the England International was so good, it was hard not to. This season, the England International is still a very bright spark, but Maresca seems to have struck a balance within the squad. Jackson has had 18 goal involvements in 21 games - scoring 13 times and adding five assists - an average of almost one a game. Fernandez is also chipping in, after having scored in his past 2 games. 

Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho inject electricity when brought off the bench. Madueke has become a mainstay on the right, shimmying his way past defences. Nkunku is Chelsea’s top-goal scorer this season with 11 goals, albeit mostly coming from Europe’s third-tier competition. If Enzo Maresca can balance game time, and if the players can keep fit, this Chelsea squad will undoubtedly go the distance. 

Injury - Kellyman, James and Fofana are all out injured. 

Chelsea Probable Line Up : Sanchez (GK), Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella (DEF), Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Neto, Palmer (MID) Jackson (FWD).

SOUTHAMPTON FC vs CHELSEA FC
Winning Prediction

Both teams here are attacking purists. Southampton made it hard for Liverpool and Brighton. Both teams that currently sit in the top 4. Although Chelsea have what it takes, it’s not easy playing this Southampton team. Russell Martin will hope his bench can make the difference. Enzo Maresca will hope Palmer and Jackson can get early goals and swing the tie in their control. This should be a great game for neutrals. 

Chelsea to Win (1-3)

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