Chelsea are preparing for a match against Southampton this weekend with the Blues being aware that almost all hope of qualifying for a Champions League Spot is gone. The Blues have been in a patchy form ever since the turn of the year and it has seen them drop down the table and now possibly out of Europe.
When Antonio Conte took charge last season, he helped a mid-table Chelsea team finish first and win the Premier League. Conte’s tactics were new and it surprised many teams. However, things have been different this season with the Blues looking very average in most of their matches.
Conte’s men have failed to put together a winning run meaning that except for the FA Cup, they do not really have any hope of silverware this season. In the Carabao Cup, they made it to the semi-finals only to lose out to Wenger’s men. In the Champions League, they were comprehensively knocked out by Barcelona owing to some Messi magic.
In the Premier League, while the title was never a real possibility because of Manchester City’s magnificence, Chelsea were expected to finish in the top four. However, the Blues are now most likely to miss out on that as well with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur expected to fill up those positions.
This would mean that Chelsea’s match against Southampton this weekend will be nothing short of a formality or could well be a rehearsal for their FA Cup semi-final clash against the Saints. Conte’s job is very much on the line but and the Italian will know a defeat to Southampton this weekend might see him end up with the pink slip.
Conte will want to put his best team out to get a win under his belt and this is how Chelsea might lineup.
Formation: 3-4-3
Defence
Thibaut Courtois can be expected in goal for the Blues. Cesar Azpilicueta alongside Gary Cahill and Antonio Rudiger could be seeing marshalling the defence.
Marcos Alonso might be continuing as the left wingback with Victor Moses starting on the right.
Midfield
N’Golo Kante could be seen pairing up next to Cesc Fabregas in the Blues midfield.
Attack
Eden Hazard, who has been off his game lately, will get a start on the left with Willian on the right and Alvaro Morata will be expected to lead the attack for the Blues. Olivier Giroud is expected to start on the bench.
