Chelsea is desperate for a turnaround as they take on Southampton at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. After a string of poor results, the Blues must secure three points to keep their European qualification hopes alive.
Enzo Maresca’s side suffered another setback last weekend, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa after a late defensive blunder. Without a recognized striker, Chelsea’s attacking struggles continue, leaving them seventh in the Premier League standings.
Southampton, on the other hand, is enduring a nightmare season. Stuck at the bottom of the table with just nine points, they are in danger of setting a new record for the lowest points tally in Premier League history. Their latest outing saw them suffer a heavy 4-0 defeat against Brighton.
Will Chelsea finally return to winning ways, or can the Saints spring a surprise at Stamford Bridge?
Kickoff Details
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London
- Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 20:15 GMT / 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT
- Referee: Tom Bramall
- VAR: Craig Pawson
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Matches)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Chelsea:
- Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
- Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
- Brighton 2-1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
- Man City 3-1 Chelsea
Southampton:
- Southampton 0-4 Brighton
- Southampton 1-3 Bournemouth
- Southampton 0-1 Burnley
- Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
- Southampton 1-3 Newcastle
Where to Watch Chelsea vs Southampton
UK: discovery+, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate
US: Peacock
Canada: fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Team News & Expected Lineup
Chelsea’s tactical experiments at Villa Park showed some promise, with Reece James playing in midfield and Pedro Neto leading the attack. However, defensive frailties proved costly.
With Nicolas Jackson ruled out until after the international break, Neto is expected to continue up front. Jadon Sancho could return to the starting lineup if Maresca opts for a reshuffle in midfield.
Trevoh Chalobah remains sidelined at the back, while Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile are still unavailable. Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to return to the XI.
Predicted Chelsea Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho; Neto
Southampton Team News & Expected Lineup
Southampton faces defensive concerns after Jan Bednarek injured himself against Brighton. Armel Bella-Kotchap is expected to take his place, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains out with an ankle issue.
Ross Stewart, Ryan Fraser, and Adam Lallana are also unavailable, further limiting Southampton’s attacking options.
Predicted Southampton Lineup (3-5-2):
Ramsdale; Aribo, Bella-Kotchap, Bree; Sugawara, Gronbaek, Smallbone, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Onuachu, Sulemana
Chelsea vs Southampton Prediction
Despite Chelsea’s recent struggles, they still possess significantly more quality than Southampton, who have been completely outclassed in their last few outings. The Saints’ defensive frailties and lack of cutting-edge in attack make it difficult to see them getting a result at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s tactical tweaks might need further refinement, but this match presents a golden opportunity for Chelsea to regain some confidence. Expect the Blues to dominate possession and eventually break down Southampton’s defense.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Southampton