Southampton find themselves in a perilous position at the bottom of the Premier League table, and Friday night’s 1-1 draw away to Brighton did little to ease their concerns.
The Saints thought they had snatched a dramatic late winner, only for VAR to intervene with a lengthy offside check that ultimately ruled it out. Manager Russell Martin couldn’t hide his frustration after the match, knowing that even with all three points, his side would have remained rooted to the foot of the table. As December begins, Southampton’s situation is becoming increasingly precarious.
The timing of Chelsea’s visit to St. Mary’s might seem less than ideal for the hosts, given the Blues’ impressive form. However, Southampton have reason to believe they can pull off a surprise. They completed a rare double over Chelsea in their last Premier League campaign and have lost just two of the previous seven top-flight meetings between the sides. That said, recent history on Wednesday nights hasn’t been kind to the Saints—they’ve lost their last two midweek Premier League home games without scoring a single goal.
For Chelsea, the trip to the south coast represents an opportunity to continue their push at the top of the table. A commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday saw them rise to a share of second place, level with Arsenal on points, goal difference, and goals scored. Only alphabetical order has them starting the round in third. While Chelsea’s title aspirations remain alive, a nine-point gap to league leaders Liverpool leaves little room for error, especially in fixtures against struggling sides like Southampton.
Arne Slot’s Chelsea have been a formidable force on the road this season, with only one defeat away from Stamford Bridge. That loss came against Liverpool, the only side to breach Chelsea’s defenses on their travels in the league so far. Despite that setback, Enzo Maresca’s team have been ruthless against teams currently occupying the bottom half of the table. They’ve collected six wins and a draw in those matchups, with all four away games in that stretch ending in victory.
Southampton’s hopes of causing an upset could rest on the shoulders of Cameron Archer. The young striker has developed a habit of opening the scoring, with each of his last five Premier League goals being the first of the match. If the Saints can find a way to get Archer involved early, they might just test Chelsea’s backline. On the other side, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has made a name for himself as a clinical finisher in the dying moments of matches, closing the scoring in each of his last four top-flight appearances. His ability to deliver late goals could once again prove decisive.
The attacking intent from both sides suggests this game could be an entertaining affair. Chelsea’s recent midweek form has been particularly eye-catching, with seven of their last eight Wednesday away matches featuring over 2.5 goals. If that trend continues, fans at St. Mary’s could be in for a lively encounter under the lights.
For Southampton, the challenge is clear. A win would not only boost their morale but could also breathe life into their bid for survival. The Saints have shown flashes of resilience this season, but they’ll need a near-perfect performance to overcome a Chelsea side firing on all cylinders.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will view this as a must-win if they are to keep pace with the league leaders. With their attacking depth and solid defensive record, they’ll be confident of extending their unbeaten run against teams in the lower half of the table. However, they’ll need to remain focused, as any slip-up could see their slim title hopes take a significant hit.
As the two sides prepare to face off, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Southampton are desperate to climb off the bottom of the table, while Chelsea are determined to stay within striking distance of the top. It’s a classic battle between a team fighting for survival and a side chasing glory, promising drama, tension, and potentially plenty of goals.
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