?Southampton face the tough task of competing against Antonio Conte’s title-chasing Chelsea on Tuesday night. Saints boss Claude Puel will be looking for a response from his players after their heavy defeat to Manchester City last time out.
The Saints will also be hoping for a big push in their final run-in of games as they look to secure a top-ten finish. This is how Southampton could line up against Chelsea…
Goalkeeper
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Forster1
?England’s number two goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, has been an integral part of Southampton’s team this season and that is unlikely to change on Tuesday night.
Defence
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Soares2
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Stephens24
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Yoshida3
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Bertrand21
?The Saints’ back four is expected to be unchanged due to injuries and a lack of cover in defence. With the injured Virgil van Dijk out until the end of the season, Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida should partner each other in the centre of defence.
Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand will start in the full-back positions – presented with the difficult task of preventing Chelsea’s wing-backs from flying forward.
Midfield
?Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oriol Romeu will be expected to shield the Saints’ defence. Romeo will be the man tasked with keeping a close eye on his former club’s star playmaker Eden Hazard as the Spaniard returns from his two-match suspension.
Dusan Tadic should start in a more advanced central midfield position with James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond providing pace either side of him out wide.
Forwards
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Gabbiadini20
Manolo Gabbiadini should start and will attempt to add to his four Premier League ?goals so far for the Saints. The Italian had scored in four consecutive games for Puel’s side, but has failed to find the net in his last two appearances.
He has proved to be a valuable signing since his arrival from Napoli in the January transfer window.
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