Chelsea vs Southampton: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Chelsea are in desperate need of three points when they take on Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The Blues' rut continued at the weekend as they surrendered a first-half advantage and lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, with Filip Jorgensen's egregious error in the dying embers of the contest costing Enzo Maresca's side.

Chelsea are suffering in the absence of a recognised centre-forward, although their current malaise pre-dates Nicolas Jackson's injury setback. They're now seventh in the table having once been considered a potential title contender at Christmas.

However, no matter how bad things have been in west London as of late, Chelsea's misery can't compare to what Southampton supporters have endured this term. The Saints remain on nine points and still risk ending the season with the lowest points haul in Premier League history.

Ivan Juric's lacklustre outfit were cast aside by Brighton on Saturday, losing 4-0.

Here is 90min's guide to Tuesday's Premier League clash.

Chelsea vs Southampton head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Chelsea vs Southampton on TV - UK & US

Chelsea team news

Trevoh Chalobah is set to miss the next couple of games / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Maresca changed tack at Villa Park on Saturday, opting to use Reece James in midfield and Pedro Neto up top. The plot initially paid off with Neto teeing up the opening goal, and we'll likely see the Portuguese international utilised centrally again. Nicolas Jackson is out until after the international break with a thigh injury.

Jadon Sancho could come back into the side if James drops out, with Fernandez likely to operate alongside Moises Caicedo. The Blues currently can't call upon Noni Madueke and Romeo Lavia.

In defence, Trevoh Chalobah was withdrawn at Villa Park and is poised to miss Chelsea's next two games, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are still sidelined. Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to come back in.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Nkunku, Sancho; Neto.

Southampton team news

Jan Bednarek was forced off early on against Brighton / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Jan Bednarek was forced off early on in Saturday's defeat to Brighton and is a doubt for the trip to west London. Armel Bella-Kotchap will likely start in place of the Polish international despite Jack Stephens' return to fitness.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis won't be back until March due to an ankle injury, and the visitors are also without Ross Stewart, Ryan Fraser, and Adam Lallana.

Southampton predicted lineup vs Chelsea

Southampton predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Aribo, Bella-Kotchap, Bree; Sugawara, Gronbaek, Smallbone, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Onuachu, Sulemana.

Maresca's tweaks initially paid dividends at the weekend, but they seized too much of the initiative to Aston Villa before losing late on. The Blues have gone stale.

There are serious questions pervading through this Chelsea team, but no matter how poor they've been as of late, they've surely got to win on Tuesday.

Juric's Southampton are no longer competitive. There had been a few positives at the start of the new manager's tenure, but the Saints have reverted to type in recent outings. They'll likely lose again in midweek.