Chelsea vs Southampton – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·25 de febrero de 2025

Chelsea vs Southampton – Match preview and team news

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea host a struggling Southampton side at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League tonight with both sides in desperate need of a win.

The Blues have been unable to arrest a slide in form which has seen them win only two out of their last ten league outings. On the weekend, they were dealt a late blow by Aston Villa’s Marco Asensio, who scored the winning goal right at the death.

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Defender Trevoh Chalobah is a definite absentee for tonight after picking up a knock in the opening exchanges at Villa Park. It is only a minor issue for the academy graduate, but one that will prevent him from featuring over the next fortnight.

Despite making a decisive mistake on Saturday, Maresca has reaffirmed his faith in Filip Jorgensen. The Danish stopper will retain his starting spot in between the sticks.

Due to the injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto may start through the middle again.

It was a heavy defeat for Southampton last Saturday as Brighton put four past them at St Mary’s Stadium without reply.

Jan Bednarek will miss the trip to the capital due to fatigue. However, their defensive options have been bolstered by the return of Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The 23-year-old has missed the last few weeks of action with an ankle complaint.

Southampton manager Ivan Juric has also confirmed that Flynn Downes will play tomorrow after being an unused substitute against Brighton.

Chelsea vs Southampton – Match preview and team news

Form

Chelsea: LWLLL

Chelsea’s recent bout of prolonged misery continued on Saturday as they lost 2-1 away to Aston Villa.

After taking an early lead, a toothless second half display allowed Marco Asensio to score a brace. The winner came in the 89th minute and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was largely at blame as the swerving shot slipped through his grasp.

It was the Blues’ fourth defeat in five games and a result that leaves them in seventh position. Their dip in form commenced in late December and has coincided with several injuries.

However, they’re next two league games are both at Stamford Bridge against two of the bottom three sides. They host Leicester at the weekend.

Those two matches in west London come either side of the first leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 tie against FC Copenhagen.

Read – Chelsea predicted lineup ahead of Southampton clash

Southampton: LWLLL

Southampton remained rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after shipping four at home to Brighton.

A makeshift defence was tormented and the Seagulls breached their opposition’s net at will at St Mary’s.

The Saints are now 13 points adrift of safety with 12 games to go. If they manage to avoid relegation, it will go down in top-flight history as one of the most unlikeliest survival stories.

Ivan Juric inherited a team that had scored the least and conceded the most goals in the division. The Croatian hasn’t been able to change their fortunes and they’ve only won one league game under his stewardship.

They have lost 11 out of their last 13 league games, but they have picked up over half of their points away from home. Albeit a meagre tally of five points.

Read – Southampton predicted lineup vs Chelsea

Last Meeting

Southampton 1-5 Chelsea, Premier League, 4th December 2024

A five-star display from Chelsea saw them ease to victory on the South Coast in the reverse fixture. The contest commenced at a frantic pace and both sides netted within 11 minutes.

Axel Disasi nodded in the opener from a corner, but it didn’t take long for Joe Aribo to level matters. Determined play on the by-line from Kyle Walker-Peters culminated in the full-back picking out Aribo for a simple finish.

Chelsea reasserted themselves to reclaim their advantage just after the quarter of an hour mark.

Southampton’s fourth choice goalkeeper Joe Lumley played Walker-Peters into trouble which allowed Noni Madueke to dispossess him. The ball rolled into the path of Christopher Nkunku and with the goalkeeper stranded, the Frenchman passed into the untended net.

Lumley did make amends for his mistake shortly after as he kept a strong wrist to push Cole Palmer’s shot onto the post.

There was nothing the Saints stopper could do about Chelsea’s third, though. Madueke bided his time on the right-flank before picking out the far corner with a delicate finish to double the deficit.

Southampton’s evening went from bad to worse as Jack Stephens was shown a straight red card. The skipper’s rough handling of Marc Cucurella’s hair fell afoul of violent conduct and the hosts were reduced to ten.

With a numerical advantage, Chelsea’s approach to the second half was assured and relaxed. Joao Felix should’ve got involved in the scoring but somehow misjudged his unmarked header.

Madueke was also guilty of spurning a glorious opportunity from close-range. The winger inexplicably blazed wide with the incoming pressure of Ryan Manning seemingly distracting him.

Chelsea’s fourth came courtesy of Palmer who made sure Nkunku’s effort crossed the line before Sancho’s rasping effort completed the trouncing.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 20:15 GMT on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.

Who is the referee?

Tom Bramall will be the match official. Scott Ledger and Mat Wilkes will assist him while Simon Hooper will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Craig Pawson and he will be assisted by Marc Perry.

Read – Chelsea among Premier League clubs chasing Leipzig transfer