STARSPORT take you through Chelsea’s predicted line-up ahead of Sunday’s clash with Southampton at St Mary’s.
Antonio Conte will look to get the momentum going in the Premier League after Chelsea’s stunning 4-0 win against Manchester United last week at Stamford Bridge.
However, he will hope that his players’ morale is not hurt following their elimination from the EFL Cup against West Ham.
RECORD signing Sofiane Boufal has been labelled a “quality” addition who will be a vital boost to Saints after his stunning St Mary’s debut strike.
Boufal, who was signed for £16m from Lille in the summer, marked his arrival at St Mary’s with a wonderful goal against Sunderland in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night on his first start for the club.
Claude Puel praised the Morocco international, while Saints’ players posted on social media their salutes to the new boy.
James Ward-Prowse has seen what the tricky attacker has to offer in training, and now on the pitch, and knows there is more to come from the club’s new mercurial talent.
“I think he will be [important],” he said. “The club’s paid the money they have because they think he’s a good player.
“We’ve seen bits of him in training. He’s obviously still getting his fitness and match sharpness after his long term injury.
“There’s definitely more to come from him. We have to make sure we help him along the way and help him settle in.
“But you can see the quality that he’s got. I’m sure he’ll only get better from here.”
The fact that Boufal has started to find his feet, after he was sidelined with a knee injury in the first few months of his Saints career, will be a big lift.
With the club battling on three fronts in the Premier League, Europa League and EFL Cup, Boufal, 23, injects energy and a new dynamic at a busy time.
“It’s part of the level we’re at now,” said Ward-Prowse. “We’re one of the top teams in the Premier League.
“We want to be in the best competi- tions and winning as many things as we can, so there’s going to be an array of games.
“The manager’s made changes. He’s brought in young players. We’ve had different things to face and we’ve stood up to them well so far.”
The 21-year-old hailed Puel’s management style that allows players to thrive under his command.
“Every player goes out on the pitch knowing that the manager’s behind them,” he said. “He’s putting you out on the pitch for a reason.
“It’s especially pleasing to see academy players, seeing the young lads come through.”
Boufal, who will be hoping for his first Premier League start against Chelsea on Sunday, will give Puel op- tions in attack. He can play as a number 10 behind the forwards as he did on Wednesday or as a striker.
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is set to snub Saints’ top performers for his next Three Lions squad.
In form Saints men Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond may well be overlooked for the team for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly with Spain, which both take place at Wembley next month.
England Under-21 international Redmond has been tipped for a promotion to the senior ranks after a series of impressive displays for Saints.
But he may have to be patient, with Southgate reluctant to disrupt the Young Lions heading into Euro 2017.
Austin, pictured, who has never played for England although was called up once under Roy Hodgson, has netted seven goals in eight games for Saints.
But he is also likely to go ignored by Southgate.
Jamie Vardy, the Leicester striker, has failed to score in his last 10 appearances for club and country, but despite the lack of goals Southgate is expected to stick by him and other regulars.
Saints’ Fraser Forster will likely con- tinue as back-up goalkeeper to Joe Hart, while Ryan Bertrand will also be aiming to stay involved despite injury.
“All goalscorers have periods where they are not scoring. History and records over the years shows you what they are likely to fall back into and his scoring record is phenomenal,” Southgate said about Vardy.
“I have played with Alan Shearer when he went through the same - and Andy Cole. Over a long period of time if they have a record of one in two or one in three they will come back to that.
“You have to look longer-term, especially with goalscorers. He has proven himself at every level.”
Southgate is wary about unsettling his group, along with the under-21 squad, and suggested those with the Young Lions may have to wait for a senior call-up as they prepare for Euro 2017.
St Mary’s men James Ward-Prowse, Matt Targett and Jack Stephens are also involved with the under-21s with Redmond.
“We have to think carefully about that because when you do move a player up it does change the dynamic for them,” said Southgate.
“That group are going very well as a core and starting to look forward to the Euros and I don’t want to disrupt that too much unless they are coming in to play or we think it’s absolutely the right thing.
“There are a lot of other players around who are outside of the Under-21 group who we also have to watch closely.”
Who is your club’s lucky referee? Sky Sports has looked at each Premier League club and calculated their win percentage when their games are officiated by each current top-flight referee.
Based on a minimum of four fixtures and worldfootball.net data, we’ve been able to work out which referee is a lucky charm for each club.
We’ve discovered that Manchester United have won a remarkable 11 games out of 12 under one Premier League official, and another has overseen six Leicester wins in seven matches.
Click on a club badge below to reveal the lucky referee for each Premier League club.
Who will be refereeing your team this week?
The match officials for matchday 10 of the Premier League are:
The Spaniard has been keen to emphasise that it is not all about him (and it’s gone largely unnoticed that Sergio Aguero has gone six matches without a goal), but naturally the focus has been on City’s hugely magnetic and talented manager. Next up for City is a decidedly awkward looking trip to the Hawthorns to face West Brom, who will surely relish playing to powerful type in what should be a classic contrast of styles.
The omens though are not good for manager Tony Pulis, who has only won one of his 15 games against City, while West Brom have not won any of their last 13 games against Saturday’s opponents (L12, D1). If ever there was a time for Guardiola to prove that he can dig out wins against determined and well-organised Premier League opponents, this is it. CE
There is a curious trend in Southampton’s games against Chelsea: in eight of their last 10 meetings, the team that scored first has failed to win the game.
In fact, on five of those eight occasions the team scoring first has actually lost the match, including both fixtures last season.
Manchester United need to bounce back from last Sunday’s 4-0 embarrassment at Chelsea when Burnley come to Old Trafford this Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s men managed to get back on track after beating Manchester City in the EFL Cup in midweek but they have won just once in the league since Aug. 27.
City, meanwhile, are in trouble. Pep Guardiola travels to West Brom having not won in six matches. Elsewhere, last season’s two title rivals Leicester and Tottenham face each other, Sunderland host Arsenal and Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace.
Predict the results of all Premier League matches this weekend in our match polls.
MAN UNITED: United have got their difficult week out of the way and will be looking to Burnley as an opportunity to get an easier three points. Mourinho played three left-backs in their 1-0 EFL Cup win over Manchester City, which they may be forced to do again against the Clarets, but should have enough going forward to score a few. They will need to be more efficient in front of goal than they have been in recent weeks, though.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley – Scott Patterson
BURNLEY: The Clarets have lost all three of their away league matches this season by heavy scorelines and it is hard to imagine Saturday’s game at Old Trafford will be any different. The return of Andre Gray following a four-match ban is a boost, but Sean Dyche’s team must be more stable at the back and more harsh lessons seem likely.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley – Jamie Smith
WEST BROM: The Baggies face Manchester City at the Hawthorns in the third of three successive games against the Premier League’s top four. With Claudio Yacob suspended, Tony Pulis will rely on Chris Brunt to fill that void and threaten City with his quality at set pieces.
Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Manchester City – Matthew Evans
MAN CITY: A nondescript away game against traditionally stubborn opponents suddenly transforms itself into a high profile test. Fail to win at the Hawthorns and Guardiola’s start at City will face serious questions. With a morale-sapping defeat at Manchester United still fresh, the Catalan needs his big match players to return and convince.
Prediction: West Brom 0-2 Manchester City – Simon Curtis
TOTTENHAM: With just two goals in four games, Tottenham’s lack of penetration up front is becoming a genuine concern. Spurs now have three big games inside eight days and it’s time for players other than Son Heung-Min and Dele Alli to start contributing. It would be tempting to think that Saturday’s game against a Leicester side that have been well below the standards they set last season would be a good place for Spurs to start. But another draw looks likely.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Leicester – John Crace
LEICESTER: The last time Leicester travelled to White Hart Lane they claimed a 1-0 victory that proved pivotal in the title race. However, this season the Foxes are shipping goals galore on the road and Spurs are in good league form. City may struggle to keep a clean sheet, putting pressure on Jamie Vardy, who was rested in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Even with the England striker on form Leicester may leave pointless. Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Leicester – Ben Jacobs
SUNDERLAND: David Moyes’ side look doomed. Little in the 1-0 midweek League Cup defeat against a weakened Southampton, apart from a useful first full game for striker Victor Anichebe, raised hopes of a revival and Arsenal will be expecting a routine away win.
Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal – Colin Randall
ARSENAL: To lose points against one struggling north east club may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose points against two would look like carelessness. Luckily, after the 0-0 against Middlesbrough there is next to no chance Arsenal will slip up against a side still waiting for their first win of the season.
Prediction: Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal – Tom Adams
SOUTHAMPTON: This promises to be a classic encounter between two teams high in confidence after their recent results. Southampton were unlucky to lose to Manchester United and Arsenal and could have won at Manchester City last weekend so will fancy their chances against another of the Premier League big-guns
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Chelsea – Alex Crook
CHELSEA: The EFL Cup exit to West Ham has brought Chelsea back down to earth following the 4-0 thumping of Manchester United and they will need to refocus their efforts if they are to gain a positive result against an in-form Southampton. Eden Hazard’s influence will be key to accomplishing that though the defence will need to keep tabs on Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond in the Saints attack.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Chelsea – Phil Lythell
CRYSTAL PALACE: While many Crystal Palace fans are concerned at the preceding two defeats and the possibility of going on a prolonged winless run, Liverpool’s weakness – in the air and from set pieces – is there to be exploited by Alan Pardew’s side. If they do that, Palace have a chance.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Liverpool – Rob Sutherland
LIVERPOOL: The Reds will be hoping their former striker Christian Benteke does not come back to haunt them when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. It’s usually not a happy hunting ground for the visitors, although they did win there last year, coincidentally when Benteke won and then converted a late penalty. He may score again on Saturday, but it will be a mere consolation goal.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool – Dave Usher
EVERTON: Momentum gained by five successive wins has steadily faded amid a five-game winless streak in all competitions. Somehow clinging on to sixth place despite recent results, Everton require a timely home win on Sunday. In-form Romelu Lukaku has scored in his last six league games against West Ham.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 West Ham – Luke O’Farrell
WEST HAM: Despite winning in spectacular style last season, results at either end of Stanley Park are notoriously difficult to come by for West Ham. Despite an improvement behind Slaven Bilic’s three-man defence, Everton will be difficult to hold at home. A point would be welcome here.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 West Ham – Peter Thorne
MIDDLESBROUGH: Buoyed by the 0-0 draw at Arsenal last weekend, Aitor Karanka will look for his men to build on what was a commendable away performance. Pacey wing-man Adama Traore should have proved enough to earn another start, but Boro need to be wary at the back against a Bournemouth strike force that recently knocked six past Hull City.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Bournemouth – Catherine Wilson
BOURNEMOUTH: Bournemouth are on a brilliant run of form and their opponents haven’t won since August. Eddie Howe has finally found his preferred formation and they’re favourites for the win with Harry Arter in exceptionally good form. The Cherries should emerge victorious.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Bournemouth – Will Kent
WATFORD: The exciting Isaac Success is set to miss out again, allowing fellow Nigerian Odion Ighalo another opportunity to ignite his season. Despite back-to-back clean sheets, the Watford defence doesn’t look completely comfortable, with the absence of the injured Daryl Janmaat felt keenly. After two uninspiring performances against Middlesbrough and Swansea, the Hornets will be hoping to put on more of a show against another struggling side.
Prediction: Watford 2-0 Hull – Mike Parkin
HULL CITY: Five consecutive league defeats have plunged Hull City into the bottom three and in desperate need of a lift at Vicarage Road. The EFL Cup win away to Bristol City on Tuesday night will have helped to repair the battered confidence of Mike Phelan’s men, but the Premier League has been an unforgiving place of late. Huge improvements will be needed from the defeats to Bournemouth and Stoke.
Prediction: Watford 1-0 Hull – Phil Buckingham
STOKE: Stoke have to wait until Monday before they get the chance to make it three wins in a row against struggling Swansea. The stars are aligned for Wilfried Bony to score his first goal of 2016 against the club where he made his name.
Prediction: Stoke 0-2 Swansea – James Whittaker
SWANSEA: Another early season relegation six-pointer for struggling Swansea, who have never beaten Stoke on the road in Premier League play. They will want to do so before the fixture list turns nasty again, with games against Manchester United and Everton. Stoke have just found some form and Swansea badly need to.
Prediction: Stoke 2-2 Swansea – Max Hicks
Can Manchester United and Mourinho get back on track? Will Manchester City find that elusive win on their travels to the Hawthorns? And how about Sunderland, yet to win in the league under Moyes? Arsenal will be hoping to continue their decent run at the Stadium of Light.
You can predict all the matches in our polls and have your say in the comments below.
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