With the Premier League title crucial to making Chelsea’s season a success, Jose Mourinho and co. will go into Sunday’s game against Southampton looking to bounce back after Wednesday’s defeat against PSG. A Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge would further cement their position at the top of the table.
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To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked members of the respective UAE Supporters Clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.
Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share with us your thoughts.
TOBY YOUNG – CHELSEA SUPPORTERS CLUB
After what can only be described as an inept performance midweek, Chelsea return to action against this seasons surprise package, Southampton. With very few of the Chelsea team showing anything near the dedication required the Blue boys can expect to have received the Mourinho hairdryer and tea cup throwing treatment after Wednesday night. No doubt, light training or days off have been cancelled and each player, to a man, been stripped down and taken apart (Well it’s what I would have done). The performance level will most definitely need to be upped for this game because Southampton are well drilled, defensively astute and as a collective show the character traits of previous Koeman teams.
Chelsea’s league form coming into this match also leaves a little to be desired. In recent weeks it is clear the quality of performance has dropped, and sadly so have the results. Shooting accuracy, possession and passing have seen a steady decline. In fact, since the turn of the year I find it hard to remember a time when Chelsea would have had less shots on target over a three month period, and this dates back to the my early days at the bridge in 1992/3. Thankfully, Chelsea’s main title rival at present, Man City have also dropped points at key times, and thus we are able to continue with a small cushion.
The only injury doubt for Chelsea seems to be Mikel, so Mourinho has a full squad to choose from.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1.
LIKELY CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar, Cuadrado, Costa
CHELSEA PLAYER TO WATCH – CESC FABREGAS: Since he has returned from injury he seems to be slightly less effective than he was at the beginning of the season. This in part may be due to tiredness or being rushed back to quickly. The drop in performance level of those around him has not helped either. If he can get back to his slide rule passing best then Chelsea would hope to be able to capitalise.
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO WATCH – SADIO MANE: With his electric pace and quick feet he is bound to pose the Chelsea defenders some problems, he certainly did at St. Mary’s. He seems to have been the main outlet for goals since Pelle’s loss of form. Now I have said that, he will no doubt be man of the match!!!
WHERE TO WATCH: As ever the official Chelsea Supporters Club will be watching the game in Loca in the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa in Jumeirah 1. If you want to come in to watch it, why not come over and say hi.
PHILIP HUGHES – DUBAI SAINTS
In recent weeks, Saints have fallen off the pace with an inability to create or take chances around the box. Pelle in particular looked to be finding the role of loan striker a strain and others seemingly lacking energy to make the runs into space that are needed in the EPL. On any other weekend, we’d have been expecting to be outplayed and come away happy to only concede three goals.
Sunday could be different as we head up to Stamford Bridge in the unusual position of having a fully fit and available squad for almost the first time since the end of December. We now have options to lead the line in Pelle and Long. The pace of Mane and Eljera is also a major threat, while the guile of Tadic and Djuricic will be effective. Add in the return of Alderweireld and Saints will be at full strength with Koeman picking a side on tactics not on who is fit!
Chelsea won’t sit back and be negative after their Champions League exit on Wednesday night so they have to come at us. I expect it will be like Rorke’s Drift at times!
We have seen many times this season that Chelsea are susceptible to clinical counter attacks. Sure they should tear us to shreds, but Clyne vs Hazard will be a more even battle than at St Mary’s when we had an out of position CB against him.
The pace and direct running of Sadio Mane will be crucial. If he is forced out wide then he will not be effective, once he starts to run at Cahill & Terry we have a chance.
So it then all comes down to the mental state of Pelle. The images of him these past weeks have been etched in stress. In the images from Switzerland he has been literally rolling on the floor laughing.
LIKELY SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Betrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Davis, Mane, Djurcic, Pelle
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER TO WATCH – SADIO MAINE: He usually starts out wide but when he moves into a more central role his pace can unsettle defences and draw many fouls around the box. If he gets to run at Terry it could be fun! He is quite capable of scoring against any side.
CHELSEA PLAYER TO WATCH – EDEN HAZARD: The central spine of Saints should cope with Costa, but it is the runs and space which Hazard’s movement makes that will be a deciding factor. Nathaniel Clyne is in for a tough afternoon.
WHERE TO WATCH: The Dubai Saints will be at Barasti Beach Bar, the match will be on the Big Screen outdoors but we often prefer to sit in our “Dugout” in the main bar!
