Chelsea will go head to head against Southampton in the Semifinal of the FA Cup on Sunday. It will be a huge match for both the sides as the result would affect the managerial job of both the managers. The win in this match will surely give Antonio Conte the mental boost up for the race of the top four finish in the Premier League. The season is almost over for the Blues. But winning the FA Cup will mean a lot to the Blues. Their disgraceful season will come at it’s end with a trophy win. If this season ended with a trophyless one for the Blues, Antonio Conte will surely be sacked from his job.
Conte will not wish to leave Chelsea without a single trophy after winning the Premier League title in his first season at charge.
The previous season was a memorable one for the Chelsea fans as they had won the Premier League after finishing 10th in the League Table in the previous season of that. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were looking unstoppable throughout the whole season; but the things were not the same in this time. They are almost out of the top four race and only this competition is left from them to win. On the other hand, the Saints will also be desperate to win the match for their own pride.
Team News :
Chelsea :
Andreas Christensen will be available for the Blues after missing the previous match. David Luiz is unavailable due to knee injury. Thibaut Courtois will yet again surely start in goal while Christensen, Azpilicueta and Rudiger might start for Chelsea in a three man central defense, while Moses and Alonso will be there at two flanks. Fabregas and Kante will always be present in the heart of the midfield for Chelsea. Willian, Giroud and Hazard will be there upfront for the Blues against, which will be a boost for Antonio Conte and his plans of beating Southampton.
Southampton:
Fraser Forster can possibly make the difference on the night if he is able to keep out the opposition strikers and prevent them from scoring goals at the start of the game and can keep his team in it, at crucial times.
The defence will once again comprise of Soares, Yoshida, Stephens and Bertrand, who will have their work cut-out for them on the night. It will be really tough to keep the hosts out, though they will try their best to do so. Oriol Romeu and Lemina will play as defensive midfielders while Tadic, Davis and Boufal will play in the attacking midfield position for the Saints. Shane Long might get a start at the upfront for the Saints against the Blues in this match.
Possible Starting Eleven :
Chelsea (3-4-3):
Goalkeeper : Thibaut Courtois
Defenders :Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta.
Midfielders : Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Davide Zappacosta.
Attackers : Pedro, Olivier Giroud, Eden Hazard.
Southampton : (4-5-1)
Goalkeeper :Fraser Forster
Defenders: Soares, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand
Midfielders : Oriol Romeu, Lemina, Tadic, Davies, Boufal.
Attackers: Shane Long.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Chelsea 3-0 Southampton.
