Chelsea is set to host Southampton on February 25 at Stamford Bridge, desperately seeking to end their negative run and regain some momentum within the Premier League. Both teams find themselves on challenging paths as Chelsea enters this fixture with three consecutive defeats across all competitions. Meanwhile, Southampton languishes at the bottom of the league table following their recent humiliations, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Under coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's recent struggles have made their climb back up the table seem more difficult than anticipated. After losing 2-1 to Aston Villa, the Blues are now trailing significantly behind the top four spots they previously aimed for. Their star goalkeeper, Philip Jørgensen, came under fire for costly mistakes leading to the team's recent losses and will need to redeem himself.
Chelsea's home ground, Stamford Bridge, may offer glimmers of hope; they have won three of their last four home games, scoring at least two goals each time. Still, Maresca acknowledges the pressure of current expectations, especially as the club faced substantial damage from recent performances. Notably, the absence of key players due to injuries has left the squad struggling. The team's captain, Reece James, just returned but is at risk of discomfort from previous injuries, which may influence his participation.
On the other side, Southampton's situation appears desperate as they dropped to last place with just 9 points from 26 games. They are under threat of breaking the Premier League’s record for fewest points earned, previously held by Derby County, who managed only 11 points back during the 2007/08 season. They are currently suffering from eight consecutive home losses, marking one of the worst periods for the team.
Head coach Ivan Juric will also face difficulties as two of his defenders were sidelined due to injuries, which has rendered the backline particularly vulnerable. His reliance on strikers Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu will be pivotal as they look to exploit Chelsea's defensive weaknesses.
Historically, Chelsea has had the upper hand over Southampton at home, winning three of their last four meetings there. Interestingly, their last clash at Stamford Bridge was just last February, where Southampton came out on top, winning 1-0. Still, Chelsea's ability to capitalize on Southampton's current woes gives them the edge heading to kickoff.
Given the stakes, this match serves as a pivotal moment for both clubs. For Chelsea, anything short of victory will only exacerbate their downward spiral. Meanwhile, Southampton desperately needs points to boost their chances of avoiding relegation. The importance of this match cannot be overstated, as both clubs fight for survival under mounting pressure.
With kickoff slated for 1:45 AM IST on February 26, Indian fans can catch the live action through Star Sports' official Premier League partners or stream it on Jiohotstar, ensuring they do not miss this pivotal encounter. Fans around the world will be watching closely to see if Chelsea can seize this opportunity to halt their recent slump and if Southampton can finally begin to turn their season around.