Verdict: Complete dwelling targets over 2.5
Finest odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Betfair
Two out-of-form sides aiming to halt their downward trajectories meet on Tuesday night, as Chelsea host relegation-bound Southampton at Stamford Bridge in a bid to revive some Premier League stability.
Enzo Maresca’s males are reeling from a 3rd consecutive defeat throughout all competitions, having fallen 2-1 to Aston Villa, whereas their guests supplied little resistance in a heavy 4-0 thrashing by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Chelsea
Proper now, Chelsea’s switch chiefs must be busy drawing up a shortlist of goalkeeping targets for the summer time window. With the error-prone Robert Sanchez already dropped in favor of Filip Jorgensen, it was the Scandinavian’s flip to commit a pricey mistake at Villa Park.
A faucet-in from Enzo Fernandez and a scrappy Marco Asensio purpose appeared to set the stage for a share of the factors within the West Midlands. Nonetheless, with only a minute of regular time remaining, Asensio linked with a volley that ought to have been a routine save for Jorgensen.
As an alternative, the 22-year-old inexplicably let the ball slip by his physique, triggering wild celebrations from the Villa Park crowd and condemning Chelsea to their third consecutive defeat throughout all competitions, one which additional dents their top-four aspirations within the Premier League.
Maresca may take some solace in his workforce’s response following their 3-0 thrashing by Brighton on February 14, however he described Saturday’s loss because the “hardest” of his Chelsea tenure to date. Their away struggles persist, having now gone seven highway video games with out a win, together with 4 straight defeats.
Nonetheless, Tuesday’s hosts can take consolation from their sturdy dwelling kind, having gained three of their final 4 at Stamford Bridge—scoring a minimum of twice in every victory. Fulham’s shock Boxing Day triumph stays their solely defeat of their final 18 dwelling matches.
Crew Information
Chelsea’s woes deepened on Saturday night time when Trevoh Chalobah was pressured off simply eight minutes into the sport with a again subject. Nonetheless, Maresca’s post-match replace was extra reassuring than regarding.
Even so, with a fast turnaround earlier than Tuesday’s fixture, Chalobah is predicted to affix the rising listing of absentees, which incorporates thigh harm victims Omari Kellyman, Noni Madueke, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Nicolas Jackson, Romeo Lavia, and Marc Guiu, together with the suspended Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Tosin Adarabioyo is prone to step in for Chalobah, heading off competitors from Josh Acheampong, whereas Reece James—who accomplished the total 90 minutes on Saturday—might be rested if Maresca deems two begins in 4 days too demanding for his injury-prone captain.
Naturally, the Italian was pressed on whether or not Jorgensen would retain his spot in purpose following his pricey error at Villa Park, however unsurprisingly, he gave no definitive assurances both approach.
Southampton
Regardless of Chelsea’s current struggles, their followers mustn’t count on any sympathy from Southampton supporters, whose workforce stays on target to doubtlessly set a brand new file for the lowest-ever Premier League factors tally earlier than their seemingly inevitable relegation.
The league’s backside aspect joined an unlucky group on Saturday, as targets from Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, and Georginio Rutter condemned them to a 4-0 thrashing by Brighton—marking their eighth consecutive dwelling defeat within the Premier League.
Solely three different groups have endured such a dreadful dropping streak in a single season, and with simply 9 factors to their identify, Southampton want a minimum of three attracts or one win to surpass Derby County’s notorious 11-point complete from the 2007-08 marketing campaign. With simply 12 video games remaining, they continue to be firmly rooted to the underside of the desk.
A break from the South Coast may supply some aid for Juric’s males, as their solely victory within the final 16 Premier League matches got here away to Ipswich City. They’ll additionally take some encouragement from their current away scoring kind, having discovered the web in every of their final 4 highway fixtures.
Moreover, Southampton’s earlier journey to Stamford Bridge in February 2023 resulted in a memorable 1-0 win. Nonetheless, with out James Ward-Prowse and his trademark free kicks, they suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Maresca’s males in December’s assembly at St Mary’s.
Crew Information
Maresca and Juric share related frustrations in terms of recent defensive setbacks, as Jan Bednarek was additionally pressured off early throughout Southampton’s defeat to Brighton and is now a doubt for Tuesday’s conflict, having been despatched for a scan.
Bednarek’s potential absence may pose a good higher problem if Taylor Harwood-Bellis (ankle) fails to get better in time for the journey to London. In the meantime, Juric opted to not danger Jack Stephens on Saturday as he continues his return from harm.
Ross Stewart (calf), Ryan Fraser (calf), and Adam Lallana (thigh) all stay sidelined, whereas on-loan Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu is ineligible to face his guardian membership.
Conclusion
Even with a totally match protection, Southampton are steadily uncovered with alarming ease, and their injury-hit backline solely will increase the chance for the league’s backside aspect.
Chelsea might wrestle away from dwelling, however they continue to be a dependable attacking pressure at Stamford Bridge and may overcome their offensive absences to cruise to a snug victory over Juric’s males.
Verdict: Complete dwelling targets over 2.5
Finest odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Betfair