Chelsea’s early-season struggles were typified by their 3-1 loss to Southampton at Stamford Bridge. Just as their form looked to be stabilizing somewhat, they went up against a hot team in the Saints and fell flat on their faces. The problems they faced in that game were a microcosm of everything they’d been dealing with -- a midfield that couldn’t defend, and attack that couldn’t find space, and a defense that was too easily overwhelmed.
Chelsea vs. Southampton 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Chelsea’s early season struggles are symbolized by their loss to Southampton, and a win against them here could help lead their recovery.
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This time they have a chance to right that perceived wrong. Guus Hiddink has brought that much-needed stability Chelsea needed, though their overall quality has been somewhat lacking at times. Still, they haven’t lost in their last ten league matches, and that’s worth a lot to a team that wasn’t far above the relegation zone at the start of that run. A win now over a Southampton team that’s been heating up again and who symbolize Chelsea’s early struggles would be a huge boost to their confidence, and may finally send them flying up much higher in the Premier League table as they desire.
Key player -- Dusan Tadic (Southampton)
Tadic lit up Chelsea the last time these two teams met, and he has the ability to do so again in this match. Hiddink has done well to patch up some of Chelsea’s defensive woes, but they’re still vulnerable to Tadic’s brand of trickery that floats between the lines, in and out of wide areas. If he can exploit those weaknesses again, the Blues will be in for a world of hurt.
Key matchup -- Jordy Clasie (Southampton) vs. Oscar (Chelsea)
Oscar had found much improved form for Chelsea for a time, but has struggled as opposing teams started to key on him again. When given even a little bit of time and space, he can be lethally effective, and the key for Southampton will be to deny that to him. The man best capable of pulling that off will be Clasie, the energetic midfielder rounding into much better form after a rough adjustment period to playing in England earlier in the season. Should he keep Oscar at bay, Chelsea will have a much harder time breaking Southampton’s defense down than they would with Oscar running free.
Southampton injuries and suspensions
Out: Jay Rodriguez, Florin Gardos
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: John Terry, Kurt Zouma, Radamel Falcao
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, England
TV: Premier League Extra Time (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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