Southampton actually did the league-double over Chelsea en route to relegation two seasons ago, but have not won three on the spin against the Blues since victories in the Zenith Data Systems Cup back in 1992, claiming victory in only nine of 47 encounters in the intervening three decades.
Southampton vs Chelsea Preview
Can Chelsea continue their excellent form? On Sunday, the Blues swatted aside Aston Villa rather easily at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson breaking the deadlock early and then Enzo Fernández doubling their advantage, before a Cole Palmer screamer secured the points. That's now back-to-back wins for Enzo Maresca's side, who've only lost one of 12 Premier League games since the opening day, with the Blues climbing up to third, below Arsenal by virtue of alphabetical order only, the seventh tiebreaker. This forthcoming Sunday, Chelsea will take on fierce rivals Tottenham in another stiff examination of their top four credentials and, before then, most expect the Blues to easily win this one by the South Coast.
Southampton meantime remain at the foot of the table, now four points from safety, but many feel they were robbed of a precious victory on Friday night. Russell Martin's team held Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the Amex, Flynn Downes with the second half equaliser, a result that on the surface appears to be a well-earned, valuable point. However, it could have been all three, because Cameron Archer did have the ball in the net to make it 2-1.
The celebrations were cut short because, following a seemingly never-ending VAR check, timed at 4 minutes and 27 seconds, Adam Armstrong was deemed to have interfered with play from an offside position, a very harsh call considering he'd dangled his heal in the general direction of the ball as it zipped past to the onrushing Archer. As a result, the Saints have still won only once all season, meaning they continue to prop up the table, not going into the Christmas season with much festive cheer. Thus, it would be one of the upsets of the season, or perhaps any season for that matter, if the Saints were able to slay the Blues at St Mary's.
Southampton vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 113.
- Southampton Wins: 33. Draws: 31. Chelsea Wins: 49.
Southampton Team News
As if this fixture couldn't be any more daunting, the Saints will be without three key players Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling who all collected their fifth cautions of the campaign on Friday. With Jan Bednarek already sidelined, Russell Martin is very short of centre-back options, meaning either Ronnie Edwards or Nathan Wood will come in, while Armel Bella-Kotchap remains in the wilderness. In goal meantime, Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu are injured while, following a chaotic performance against Chelsea, Alex McCarthy was dropped, with Joe Lumley making his Premier League debut at Brighton; he'll need to be absolutely fabulous if they're to get anything out of this one. Lesley Ugochukwu is ineligible to face his parent club, while Adam Lallana and Paul Onuachu are both sidelined.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (5-4-1): Lumley; Sugawara, Wood, Stephens, Walker-Peters, Fraser; Fernandes, Aribo, Sulemana, Armstrong; Archer.
Southampton Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Cameron Archer scored his fourth of the season last time out, two of which have come in the EFL Cup, while he's previously netted against Chelsea, this also in the Carabao Cup in 2021, so can he score an even more vital goal here?
Chelsea Team News
Enzo Maresca has been making wholesale changes, often times the full 11, for mid-week EFL Cup and Conference League fixtures, with this set to be the first time many of his stars will feature in a non-weekend match this season. Club captain Reece James is sidelined, while Wesley Fofana was forced off on Sunday, set for at least a month on the sidelines. Moisés Caicedo filled-in at right-back against Aston Villa, but fit-again Malo Gusto is likely to return, following a brief cameo off the bench at the weekend, while either Benoît Badiashile or Tosin Adarabioyo will replace Fofana in the middle, likely the former.
Should Caicedo return to midfield, he may well rekindle his partnership with Roméo Lavia, which would see Enzo Fernández drop-out, despite scoring in the last two Premier League games. Maresca has so many wide-options, selecting Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho on Sunday, but any of Noni Madueke, João Félix, Mykhaylo Mudryk or Christopher Nkunku could come in this time. Neto and in-form Nicolas Jackson would miss Sunday's visit to Spurs if booked at St Mary's.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Southampton: (4-3-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Chelsea Player to Watch vs Southampton
Cole Palmer's long-range rocket on Sunday was his eighth of the season already. This will be his first meeting with Southampton as a Chelsea player and it would take a brave individual to back against him marking the occasion with a goal.
Southampton vs Chelsea Prediction
We cannot see anything other than an emphatic Chelsea victory. Southampton are severely depleted, even with their strongest team they'd surely struggle, so we're fully expecting the Blues to cruise to victory by the South Coast on Wednesday night: Southampton 0-3 Chelsea.
Southampton vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Southampton vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Southampton vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Peacock & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Southampton vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Southampton vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Peacock & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Southampton vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Southampton vs Chelsea takes place on Wednesday 4 December 2024, with kick off at 19:30 (GMT), 14:30 (EDT) & 11:30 (PST).