Thomas Tuchel pretty much knows what to expect from Southampton this afternoon. Yet that will not make Chelsea's task any easier as the Blues attempt to get back on track after disappointing and calamitous defeats to Brentford and Real Madrid.
"They will not let us fall asleep. That is clear," Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference yesterday at Cobham. "They either play a 4-4-2 with a heavy, high pressing line of six players – which they did in the first match of the season and is their usual shape – or, as in the second game against us in the League Cup, they play a back five, which leads to a man mark over the whole pitch, very demanding and intense game.
"We had a look and watched some things from the two matches [we have played against them this season]. Both matches were of a high level of quality, very intense and fluid from both sides. Very active. It is quite a challenge, and we come from another game. It is demanding. Maybe it is good. There is no other way than to accept this physicality. Otherwise, we will be under the wheels."
READ MORE: Every word Thomas Tuchel said on Southampton vs Chelsea, Real Madrid, Mendy, Kante, Lukaku, more
Tuchel will expect a response from his players, especially given the honest and frank team meeting that took place in the aftermath of Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Real Madrid. The Blues lost that game 3-1 and will need something of a miracle to turn things around in the second leg at the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening.
In order to give themselves every opportunity, though, the German coach may need to tailor his side to face Southampton accordingly. And there could be a few changes made in key positions. But the quality of the Chelsea squad, it will be far from a weaker side selected to face the Saints.
A big decision is who starts between the posts. Edouard Mendy was at fault for Real Madrid's third goal and has picked the ball out of his net seven times in the previous two matches. Kepa Arrizabalaga is waiting in the wings and will be ready for any opportunity to impress, yet the Spaniard may still have to wait for the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace.
Trevoh Chalobah, who hasn't featured in the previous two matches, will be hopeful of a start on the right of the back three. Andreas Christensen may step into the middle of the defence for Thiago Silva. She has unexpectedly played the second-most minutes of any Chelsea outfield player this term. Antonio Rudiger can then take up his spot on the left.
Reece James returned to the starting XI after injury for Wednesday night's defeat, but he shouldn't be risked from the off at St Mary's, and Cesar Azpilcueta can fill in once again at right wing-back and the opposite flank, Marcos Alonso is expected to start.
Having left Mateo Kovacic out of his side in midweek, Tuchel is expected to correct that mistake and include the Croatia international in his midfield. N'Golo Kante Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are all in contention to partner Kovacic, and it may prove to be the latter that gets the nod.
Kai Havertz is almost undroppable as Chelsea's number nine given his recent form; the German star was undoubtedly the Blues' star performer against both Brentford and Real Madrid. Who features alongside him is difficult to call, but Hakim Ziyech may get the nod if fit on the right and Christian Pulisic on the left.
Predicted Chelsea side: Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic
