English Premier League Prediction - Southampton VS Chelsea

English Premier League  -  Southampton VS Chelsea
Match Time:05-12-2024 03:30 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Analysis
Southampton, to me, seems to be playing with a bit of a carefree attitude lately. In attack, it’s still the same old approach—crossing from the wings. The problem is, their wingers and strikers are quite underwhelming in the Premier League, which is full of top-tier players. As for Aribo, he can't pick up speed, and even when chances arise, he misses them. The wingers—only Djenepo can really drive forward with the ball, while Armstrong turns into a passing machine when faced with high-intensity defense. As for the other forwards, well, let's just say it’s hard to have high expectations—no need to be too critical, to avoid causing friction.

Looking at the defense, right-back Shinya Yoshida and Djenepo can link up well in attack, but defensively, they’re like paper tigers. They can’t match the pace, and they’re weak in physical duels. Once the defense is put under pressure, their passing falls apart. At this rate, they’re almost certain to be in a relegation battle.

On the other hand, Chelsea is thriving, with a strong attacking lineup, and the competition within the team determines who gets to play. So, the players are all eager to show off. Jackson and Palmer are solid as a rock. On the right, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk take turns, while on the left, players like Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, and Mudryk are all fighting to be the standout star.

However, Chelsea's midfield still has a few issues. Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia are excellent going forward, but defensively, their interception abilities are lacking. Against weaker teams, they can get away with it, but against stronger teams, it could be a problem. Moisés Caicedo playing at full-back is an acceptable compromise, but he's still thinking about his natural midfield role. Marc Cucurella is quite active, balancing both defense and attack, while the partnership between Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill is solid—great pace and passing ability.

Pick: Chelsea