Given our other missing players AND the form of the opposition, feels like we have more chance of a surprise result against Villa. So definitely in the save Bednarek for the weekend camp.
Southampton v Chelsea. Wednesday 4th December 2024 KO 19:30 Referee: Tony Harrington, Assistant Referee: Matthew Wilkes, Assistant Referee: Steven Meredith, Fourth Official: Simon Hooper, Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue, Additional Video Assistant Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis
Sutton's prediction: This is going to be a purists' game of football, because both teams play an attractive style, but I can't see past a Chelsea win here. 0 - 2 James Ryan's prediction: I've got a couple of mates who are Southampton fans. I like the way they try to play, I'm just not sure their players are good enough to do it. 1 - 2.
A point maybe three possible this match, not probable, in fact unlikely as was our result at Brighton. I won't go with the game is lost before KO brigade, I'm sure team don't have that attitude given the second half performance.
I know it's in the title. But I've only just clocked that it's a 19:30 KO. Just assumed it was 19:45.
It doesn’t help knowing that Leicester, led by Enzo Maresca last season, did us by 9-1 over two games. He knows how to play us and beat us convincingly and Chelsea are considerably better than Leicester were last season. I will cling to the hope that, if/when we lose, we have put up a good fight, as we did against Arsenal, City and Liverpool and will be able to replicate those performances and lose valiantly by just one or two goals.
Yeah, whilst I fully expect a loss, knowing we are capable of that level of performance means we do have a small chance. If we play like we did Friday (2nd half) and a few decisions finally go our way, then you never know.
I'd feel more inclined to have that positivity if we didn't have about 6/7 first team players out. Still absolutely no idea what the team will look like.
