It only took a few weeks for the Chelsea attack to get going. Raheem Sterling scored a brace as the Blues brushed aside Leicester City last weekend, but Thomas Tuchel will have depth issues as he looks to replace Conor Gallagher in his already thin midfield? Mason Mount can partner Jorginho, but after Mount was withdrawn against Leicester, can he be trusted with more of a box-to-box role on short rest in Tuesday's match at Southampton?
With how the Saints defended against Manchester United, they could cause trouble if they're able to isolate Sterling from the rest of the attack and hit Chelsea on the counter. Without N'Golo Kante, the Blues are suspect in defense, missing their key clog in the middle against a team desperate to show something in attack.
How To Watch
Match: Southampton vs Chelsea
Date & Time: August 30 @ 02:45 PM (ET)
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Hampshire
TV: BT Sport 2 & BT Sport 5
Online Streaming: BT Sport App & Peacock Premium (Try for free)
Watch in Canada: fubo Sports Network Canada
Team News
Southampton: The Saints held their own for long periods against United and may be tempted to go with the same starting XI.
Armel Bella-Kotchap did pick up a knock versus the Red Devils, but he ran that off and should be ready to go again when Chelsea visit St Mary’s.
Stuart Armstrong is an option to come into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, but Valentino Livramento remains sidelined through injury and will miss out on a reunion with his former club.
Chelsea: Chelsea will be without Conor Gallagher as he serves a one-match suspension for the two yellow cards he picked up in a 2-1 victory over Leicester.
Kalidou Koulibaly returns from a ban of his own, having been sent off at Leeds, which will allow Tuchel to revert back to his favoured three-man centre-half system.
Ben Chilwell is pushing for minutes ahead of Marc Cucurella at left wing-back, while Mateo Kovacic returned from injury against the Foxes and could figure off the bench once again.
Head to Head
- Chelsea have scored in each of their last 17 Premier League away games against Southampton - the longest scoring streak one team has had against another away from home in the history of the competition.
- Ralph Hasenhuttl's only win in seven meetings with Thomas Tuchel (D1, L5) was a 1-0 victory for RB Leipzig against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in September 2016.
Prediction
The Blues will find it difficult to break down the Saints for the most part, as Sterling will find space for an eventual winner. Chelsea 2 - 1 Southampton