Tomorrow lunch Southampton face a Chelsea side who have struggled for consistent form since the turn of the year.
The Saints showed improvements in the game against Arsenal this past weekend, but eventually lost after Danny Welbeck scored his second and the Gunners’ third.
This current stretch of fixtures is arguably Southampton’s hardest of the campaign, with a cup match against Chelsea and a tough away game against Leicester still to come this fortnight.
Assuming goal difference is on their side the Saints could step out of the relationship zone with a win – but Chelsea will not be an easy victory.
However, the Blues have really struggled to the ground running this calendar year, slipping out of the top four as a result.
Next: Arsenal 3-2 Saints: Three key players
Why Southampton will win
The Blues haven’t hit solid form as of late, drawing last weekend with West Ham and failing to retain their spot in the top four.
The Saints were bitterly unlucky against Arsenal but the positives were there and supporters will hope they can channel that into a positive performance against Chelsea.
Assuming Charlie Austin features, the Saints will have a striker in red-hot form who has shown he can score against anyone.
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Why Chelsea will win
As mentioned in nearly every preview nowadays, the Saints will go into this game as rightful underdogs.
Chelsea have a squad of highly-talented players including Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata – with Jack Stephens suspended the Saints will need to be focused for the full 90.
Predicted Line-ups
Southampton:
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster
Defence: Ryan Bertrand, Jan Bednarek, Welsey Hoedt, Maya Yoshida, Cedric
Midfield: Mario Lemina, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond
Striker: Charlie Austin
Chelsea:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois,
Defence: Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger
Midfield: Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Marcos Alonso
Attackers: Eden Hazard, Willian, Alvaro Morata
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Chelsea