Southampton v Chelsea: match preview

Relegation-threatened Southampton are missing the suspended Jack Stephens and will need in-form strikers Charlie Austin and Shane Long to be at their best against Chelsea
  
  

Southampton v Chelsea: probable starters in bold, contenders in light.
Southampton v Chelsea: probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Guardian

In the corresponding fixture last season, Diego Costa sealed a hard-fought win that showed Chelsea’s title credentials to end Southampton’s long unbeaten run at home. That was only 18 months ago. Both teams have unravelled this season and head into a league and cup double-header wondering where another defeat will leave them. Southampton’s plight is more pressing and with five tricky-looking fixtures to follow, Mark Hughes must aim for better than the narrow defeat to Arsenal. He will be without the suspended Jack Stephens but at least has in-form strikers to choose from – Charlie Austin and Shane Long both scored at the Emirates, with Long expected to recover from an ankle problem. Niall McVeigh

Saturday 12.30pm Sky Sports PL

Venue St Mary’s Stadium

Last season Southampton 0 Chelsea 2

Referee Mike Dean

This season G21 Y77 R2 3.86 cards/game

Odds H 7-2 A 5-6 D 11-4

SOUTHAMPTON

Subs from Forster, Taylor, Bednarek, Pied, Lemina, Redmond, Boufal, Sims, Carrillo, Gabbiadini, Hesketh, Obafemi

Doubtful Lemina (illness), Long (ankle)

Injured Davis (achilles, unknown), McQueen (hip, unknown)

Suspended Stephens (first of three)

Discipline Y45 R1

Form LDDLLL

Leading scorer Austin 7

CHELSEA

Subs from Cabellero, Eduardo, Rüdiger, Drinkwater, Fàbregas, Emerson, Pedro, Zappacosta, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Barkley, Sterling

Doubtful Courtois (hamstring), Pedro (knock), Zappacosta (hamstring), Drinkwater (groin), Barkley (match fitness/hamstring)

Injured David Luiz (ankle, 28 Apr)

Suspended None Discipline Y36 R4

Form WLLWLD

Leading scorers Hazard, Morata 11

 

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