Match Preview: Thomas Tuchel Returns As Shaky Chelsea Travel South to Face Southampton

• Match Preview, Southampton vs Chelsea, Tuesday, August 30th, St.Mary's Stadium, 7:45 PM GMT
• Chelsea will be looking to cut the gap on leaders Arsenal when they face a resilient Southampton side
• The Saints will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture where they shipped in six goals without a reply

Thomas Tuchel will be looking to use his first midweek fixture of the season to start churning out consistent results from his side.

Chelsea have looked shaky in their opening four games of the campaign so far, with slender wins against Everton and Leicester City, a draw against Tottenham Hotspur and a battering at the hands of Leeds United.

Meanwhile, Southampton will be feeling hard done after failing to get a point for their valiant efforts against Manchester United.

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Football

Team News

Southampton have no one injury concerns at the moment save for former Chelsea academy player Tino Livramento who is out with a long-term knee injury.

Ralph Hasenhuttl might be tempted to field a similar line-up that did duty against Manchester United. The side impressed despite not picking up any points.

Chelsea will welcome back Kalidou Koulibaly from suspension as Conor Gallagher serves his. Koulibaly's return could make Tuchel give Thiago Silva a rest with a London Derby against West Ham on the horizon.

Tuchel himself will be available on the touchline again after serving his ban. He will also consider giving a first start of the season to Matteo Kovacic and Cristian Pulisic in a bid to freshen his squad.

Players to Watch

Raheem Sterling opened his Chelsea account with a brace against Leicester City. The former Manchester City man will be expected to be a regular source of goals for the Blues this season.

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Football

Che Adams has looked sharp for Hasenhuttl and will be relied on to breach a Chelsea defence that is yet to inspire this season.

Raheem Sterling scored his first Chelsea goals over the weekend

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Raheem Sterling broke his goal-scoring duck for Chelsea as the Blues returned to winning ways with a hard-fought win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

The England international had drawn blank in his opening three games for Chelsea but managed to end his goal-scoring drought on matchday four.

After a barren first 45 minutes, Sterling broke the game's deadlock two minutes after recess when arrowed a fine effort beyond the reach of Leicester City custodian Danny Ward.