Southampton vs. Chelsea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
The only blot on Southampton's otherwise exceptional copybook for the 2014/15 Premier League season has been the inability to beat top teams.
The Saints have been swept away by both Manchester clubs and Arsenal. They've also tasted defeat against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
That's an ominous weakness to have when you're getting ready to welcome the league leaders. Jose Mourinho's wonderfully balanced Chelsea team has combined flair and power in equally ruthless fashion this season.
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But despite their relentless form, the Blues' stranglehold on top spot is not as tight as it might be. Mourinho will be acutely aware of the threat posed by reigning champions City, who are just three points behind.
That's why the Saints have a great chance to really shake up the title race on home soil.
Before a closer look at the game, here's all of the relevant schedule and viewing information:
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2014
Time: 2:05 p.m. GMT/9:05 a.m. ET
TV: Sky Sports 1/NBCSN
Live Stream: Sky Go / NBC Sports Live Extra
Preview
The Saints are going to need a cute approach to catch Chelsea off guard. Manager Ronald Koeman must plot a way to hit the Blues on the break as often as possible.
That's how Newcastle United inflicted Chelsea's only league defeat of the season. Fortunately for Koeman, he has the players to make this style of game work.
Speedy winger Sadio Mane could have a key role to play. He netted Southampton's first goal in the 3-1 away win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
Mane has the pace to exploit any gaps between Chelsea's midfield and defence. Mane had a free role against Palace, with licence to roam into central areas.
That freedom helped him dominate the game as Basingstoke Gazette reporter Gordon Simpson noted:
"The £10m summer signing from Red Bull Salzburg had his best game for the club by some considerable distance, tearing Crystal Palace apart with greater effectiveness than an over-excited kid at Christmas ripping through their wrapping paper.
[...]
Like Shane Long the week before, the 3-5-2 formation helped him find his best form, with his pace through the middle proving too much for Palace to handle.
"
Both Long and Mane are quick enough to cause Chelsea plenty of problems if they can get at an uncompromising but lumbering defence. Even during their relatively serene 2-0 win over West Ham United, the Blues defenders were troubled by the pace of forwards Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho.
Of course, Chelsea won't exactly make it easy for the Saints. Since Newcastle repeatedly exploited the Blues on the break at the start of December, Mourinho has ensured his team is tougher to break down.
That's usually involved sticking two midfielders in front of the back four. In home games, it's Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas with Brazilian goal-getter Oscar just in front.
For trickier away fixtures, it can be Matic and the more robust John Obi Mikel, with Fabregas now hovering just in front. Whatever the game, Chelsea are usually equipped with the most solid midfield platform in the league.
But it's what happens further forward that is beginning to get really interesting. For a Mourinho-coached team, this Chelsea vintage certainly plays with a lot of verve and forward-thinking swagger.
Gifted winger Eden Hazard, powerful striker Diego Costa and crafty forward Willian have unleashed their own brand of organised chaos on hapless defences. Their movement, pace and ingenuity is baffling every team Chelsea face. Mourinho can even add target man Didier Drogba and super sub Andre Schurrle to the mix.
Following the two-goal dismissal of the Hammers, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp identified "fluidity" as the key to Chelsea's more expansive forward line. The Saints may find it tough to combat this dynamic brand of attacking play.
At least Koeman can call on sturdy midfield destroyers such as Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama to break things up. But if Chelsea can play around that rugged pair, Southampton will be in serious trouble.
Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
The Saints could frustrate Chelsea into a mistake or two, provided Schneiderlin and company can stifle Fabregas in midfield.
Koeman has often been an expert at establishing rigid defensive structures to nullify a prolific attacking threat. The problem is Chelsea may have too many threats to successfully account for.
In the middle of the congested festive fixture period, where rotation and fatigue are always factors, count on a tough-fought and entertaining score draw.
