Southampton host Chelsea at St Mary’s on Wednesday with both teams in very different positions in the Premier League table.
WATCH — Southampton v Chelsea live
Saints remain bottom of the table and four points from safety, but they put in a spirited second half display to draw 1-1 at Brighton on Friday and VAR controversy probably cost them a big win. Russell Martin’s side lost narrowly at home to Liverpool before that and even though injuries and suspensions have piled up, they will have a go at Chelsea in midweek. That’s the only way they know how.
Chelsea are flying under Enzo Maresca as they battered Aston Villa 3-0 at home on Sunday to keep themselves in the title conversation early in the season. Cole Palmer and Co. look certain to be right in the top four conversation, at the very least, this season and Maresca’s free-flowing style is blossoming. Chelsea do give up some big chances at the back but going forward they are so direct and creative.
How to watch Southampton vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET, Wednesday (December 4)
Venue: St Mary’s — Southampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Southampton team news, focus
Saints have so many players unavailable for this game that it’s really tough to see who will start. Teenage sensation Tyler Dibling, star center back Taylor Harwood-Bellis and influential midfielder Flynn Downes are all suspended, so Ryan Fraser, Joe Aribo and James Bree could start. Saints will also be hoping Paul Onuachu is fit to play some part as his hold-up play would be key.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Lesley Ugochukwu (unable to face parent club), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Aaron Ramsdale (finger), Adam Lallana (thigh), Flynn Downes (suspension), Tyler Dibling (suspension), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Paul Onuachu (undisclosed), Jan Bednarek (knee)
Chelsea team news, focus
The Blues basically have two squads to choose from and it will be intriguing to see if Maresca goes with the Conference League squad for this Premier League game. Probably a mixture is the right answer with Badiashille perhaps coming in for Fofana and the likes of Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku and Renato Veiga could start. Chelsea have so many great midfield and attacking options and will be relishing having a game every three days this month as they can share the minutes around.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh), Reece James (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Wesley Fofana (hamstring)
Southampton vs Chelsea prediction
All signs point to a big away win but Southampton seem to play better against the big boys who give them a little more space to play their football on the counter. It will be tighter than you expect but Chelsea will prevail and can rotate heavily for this game. Southampton 1-2 Chelsea.
