Chelsea are in desperate need of a positive result as they host Southampton in the Premier League tonight. The Blues are on a three-match losing run after they were beaten by Aston Villa on Saturday and they sit seventh in the Premier League table, a dramatic drop-off from talk of a title push before Christmas.
Enzo Maresca’s side are, though, only a point off fourth and will be eyeing a return to form with back-to-back home matches in the league against Southampton and Leicester. Pedro Neto could again lead the line tonight, with Nicolas Jackson injured and Christopher Nkunku unconvincing, and Maresca must decide whether to stick with Reece James in midfield.
Southampton have won just twice in the league all season and are 13 points off safety, with relegation a near-certainty. They were thrashed 4-0 by Brighton last time out and it was similarly comfortable for Chelsea when they faced the Saints earlier this season, winning 5-1. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzi at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Southampton latest news
Chelsea team news
18:00 , Matt Verri
Pedro Neto is expected to continue in his new role at centre-forward.
The Blues are juggling a striker shortage with first-choice No9 Nicolas Jackson ruled out with a hamstring injury and backup striker Marc Guiu also injured in the game against West Ham earlier this month.
Maresca had initially used Christopher Nkunku at centre-forward in the absence of that pair and even experimented with Cole Palmer as a false nine in the defeat to Brighton a fortnight ago.
However, neither formula worked and Maresca instead turned to Neto to lead the line in Saturday’s meeting with Aston Villa.
Chelsea will be without centre-back Trevor Chalobah, who was forced off early in the loss at Villa and is set to miss the next two games.
Tosin Adarabioyo replaced Chalobah at Villa Park and is likely to come into the XI, though academy graduate Josh Acheampong is another option.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sancho, Palmer, Nkunku; Neto
How to watch Chelsea vs Southampton
17:51 , Matt Verri
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage starts at 6.30pm GMT ahead of an 8.15pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge!
Good evening!
17:44 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Southampton!
Big night for the Blues, who must get back to winning ways against the worst team in the Premier League. Anything other than three points and the pressure will be piled on Enzo Maresca.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8:15pm GMT from Stamford Bridge!
