CONFIRMED lineups for Chelsea v Southampton

Chelsea were handed a major setback in their bid to finish the Premier League season in the top four places following their 2-1 defeat at Villa Park. But there is still hope for Enzo Maresca's men to catch the Champions League train after fourth-placed City and third-placed Forest both lost their respective matches.  Finding themselves just one point behind Guardiola's side, a win tonight would lift the Blues to the European spots.

On the other hand, bottom-of-the-table Southampton will be fearing the worst ahead of their visit to the English capital. Having celebrated promotion to the Premier League just 10 months ago, the Saints are already in grave danger of an immediate return to the second tier, counting only two league wins this term. Their 4-0 home defeat against south-coast rivals Brighton left them 13 points from safety with just 12 games left.

The visitors will be aiming to capitalise on Chelsea's injury woes as Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah are all sidelined with injuries. But there is also positive news for Maresca with Wesley Fofana making a surprise return to the squad after the Italian manager said the player would be out of action until the end of the season. 

As for Southampton, Jan Bednarek was forced off early on in Saturday's defeat to Brighton and is therefore ruled out for the trip to West London. Taylor Harwood-Bellis will not be back until March, joining the list of absentees alongside Ross Stewart, Ryan Fraser, and Adam Lallana after suffering an ankle injury.

Confirmed lineups for Chelsea v Southampton

Chelsea's confirmed starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen (GK); Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho; Neto. 

Southampton's confirmed starting XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale (GK); Aribo, Bella-Kotchap, Bree; Sugawara, Smallbone, Downes, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Onuachu, Sulemana.

 

February 25, 2025