Chelsea vs. Southampton: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info
It's been a difficult week for Chelsea, but it could end on a high note.
The dust has barely settled on Manchester City's 1-0 defeat to Burnley, and Jose Mourinho and his players know a victory against Southampton on Sunday could be enough to all but end the title race as a contest.
Sure, with 27 points still available to Manuel Pellegrini's side, Mourinho will say otherwise. But psychologically, City are going to struggle to claw back Chelsea's lead at the top.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Heading into the Southampton fixture, Chelsea remain five points clear. Should they take maximum points, it will give them an eight-point cushion, and they will still have a game in hand over their rivals.
Time is running out for City. It was already tight for them in the run-in, but they now can't afford another slip up.
All the while, the pressure is almost off for Chelsea. They can play openly, knowing they have a considerable insurance policy should things go awry.
After watching his team crash out to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, City's loss was the silver lining Mourinho craved. Now, his team must go out and make sure it counts at Stamford Bridge.
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Chelsea boss spoke in such a tone that we can expect a backlash against Southampton—or at least an attempt from his players to right the wrongs from midweek.
That will be easier said than done.
Ronald Koeman's side are a talented group and have rightly been lauded for their success this term, surprising everybody with their challenge for a Champions League spot.
Their hopes have faded in recent weeks, but make no mistake, Southampton will give Chelsea a game.
Can the Blues outplay and overpower them to remind us why they have topped the table since the opening weekend? Or will their poor form continue?
Date: Sunday, March 15
Time: 1.30 p.m. GMT / 9.30 a.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK only) / NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only) / NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Last 5 Games
| February 17 | Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Chelsea |
| February 21 | Chelsea 1-1 Burnley |
| March 1 | Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur |
| March 4 | West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea |
| March 11 | Chelsea 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain (AET) |
| February 7 | QPR 0-1 Southampton |
| February 11 | Southampton 0-0 West Ham United |
| February 22 | Southampton 0-2 Liverpool |
| February 28 | West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Southampton |
| March 3 | Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace |
Predicted Line-Ups
After the disappointment of midweek, Mourinho is expected to ring the changes in a bid to freshen things up.
Oscar was hauled off at half-time on Wednesday, and given his poor form, we can expect Willian to be preferred over him, while Juan Cuadrado's pace on the wing could prove effective in hitting Southampton on the break.
As for the Saints, they have no reported injury concerns, but Ryan Bertrand will make his return to Stamford Bridge after making his loan move to St. Mary's permanent on transfer deadline day.
Players to Watch
Juan Cuadrado (Chelsea)
Let's see how the Colombian fares against Southampton, as up to now, he has done very little in a Chelsea shirt.
Indeed, this weekend could be making of him in west London.
Mourinho is looking for a spark of inspiration in his team, and if Cuadrado gets a chance, now is the time for him to be putting down a marker and reminding his manager why he splashed out an inital £23.3 million to bring him to the Premier League
We keep hearing what a talent Cuadrado is, so can he finally deliver?
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
After witnessing David Luiz's inspired performance when he returned to Chelsea, the last thing Mourinho and his players need is another former player coming back to haunt them.
Ryan Bertrand will be hoping to emulate Luiz's exploits upon his return to his old stomping ground with Southampton.
The left-back was never given a real crack at making the position his own, especially as his competition was Ashley Cole.
He is a talented player, though, and Chelsea fans will agree that is encouraging to see his flourishing on the south coast.
Key Battle: Diego Costa vs. Jose Fonte
Diego Costa has found the back of the net just three times since the turn of the year, and he needs to rediscover that goalscoring touch to help see Chelsea over the line in the title race.
He has been an exceptional signing, but injuries and suspensions have meant his debut campaign in England has been somewhat stop-start.
As we know, he likes to bully defenders and plays to the limit, but Jose Fonte is a man who doesn't often allow his opposite number to win that physical battle.
What's been frustrating about Chelsea recently has been their lack of presence in attack. Since February, it's been their defenders who have led the goalscoring charts. That needs to change.
With the impetus of City's loss to Burnley behind them, Chelsea should be feeling revitalised and motivated to end the campaign on a high.
If that's to happen, they need Costa banging those goals in again.
Prediction
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Odds
Home win: 8/13
Away win: 5/1
Draw: 3/1
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard (5/1)
*Odds via Oddschecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
