Pedro Neto lined up as a striker in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last time out. Neto was effective in occupying the channels in that game and offered Chelsea a more direct threat which helped Enzo Maresca’s side create chances.

Neto is averaging 0.63 shots on target per 90 in the Premier League this season but we can expect this record to increase if he continues to play up front. Neto had 4 shots with 2 finding the target in this role against Aston Villa and also provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez’s opener – he’s up against a much weaker team here.

Southampton conceded a huge 13 shots on target to Chelsea in the initial meeting between the sides earlier in the season, suggesting that Neto can cause the Saints plenty of problems on Tuesday.

Fernandez has been in the wars of late, he’s had 5+ foul involvements in each of his last 5 Premier League games which includes being fouled at least once in every match in this run.

He’s averaging 1.64 fouls won per 90 across his 24 Premier League appearances this season, which is a record formed as a result of Fernandez being energetic all over the pitch with the freedom that Enzo Maresca has given him.

There were 20 fouls exchanged in the initial meeting between the sides, surprisingly Fernandez didn’t have any foul involvements in that particular game but we can expect that to change here given his recent run of promising form when it comes to foul involvements. Southampton are averaging 12.4 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season.

The inexperience of Chelsea has shown this season. Enzo Marsesca’s squad have failed to manage expectations after a promising start to the season, injuries and complacency has cost them over recent months resulting in just 1 win across their last 5 Premier League games.

This frustration can boil over, as shown by their promising card record this season. The Blues have been shown 74 cautions in the Premier League – more than any other side in the league. They face up against a Southampton side that are quite aggressive themselves in averaging 12.4 fouls committed per 90 and collecting the second most cautions in the Premier League (72), but also win fouls at quite a steady rate (11.8 per 90).

Chelsea have been shown 2+ cards in 22 of their 26 Premier League games this season. This could get difficult for Chelsea if Southampton can frustrate them early on, with the Stamford Bridge crowd sure to get restless given recent performances.

Chelsea have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last 5 Premier League matches, managing to walk away with just 1 win from these games. This record is a result of a poor defensive backline which has conceded 15 goals across their 12 games at Stamford Bridge this season, but also a promising attacking line which always threaten to score goals.

Southampton have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 Premier League games, with the exception coming in a 1-0 FA cup defeat to Burnley – a side known for their ability to keep games tight and low scoring. Southampton have been conceding far too many goals, Ivan Juric’s side have conceded 24 goals across their 13 away assignments this campaign, which suggests that Chelsea could cover this line on their own.

The initial meeting between the sides produced 6 goals in a 5-1 Chelsea win. Southampton did have a man sent off towards the end of the second half but the game was open from the beginning with Southampton struggling to contain Chelsea’s second string stars.

Enzo Fernandez has looked brightest when he’s played a bit higher up the pitch this season and is on track for his best season on record in a Chelsea shirt when it comes to goal contributions.

Fernandez has registered 8 goal contributions across his 24 Premier League appearances (4 goals, 4 assists). He scored Chelsea’s opener in their most recent Premier League game against Aston Villa.

Fernandez provided an assist in the initial meeting between the sides in which Chelsea ran out 5-1 winners. He created the most chances of any player on the pitch (3) and has recently been on more corners and free kicks for Chelsea which should aid him in getting a goal contribution here.

Only Flynn Downes (9) has been shown more cards for Southampton this season than Mateus Fernandes (7). The all action midfielder has been one of the few standouts for the Saints this season but can be quick to frustration and is occasionally reckless with his challenges.

Fernandes is averaging 1.50 fouls committed per 90 across his 24 Premier League appearances this season and will have a tough task up against Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Caicedo is averaging 1.46 fouls won per 90 whilst Enzo Fernandez is averaging 1.64 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea’s midfield partnership should draw a few fouls from Fernandes who is part of a Southampton side that has collected the second most cautions in the Premier League this season (72).

Southampton have been really poor this season and this underperformance has led to frustration, this is something that’s evident in their foul numbers this campaign.

Ivan Juric’s side are averaging 12.4 fouls committed per game in the Premier League this season, only Wolves and Bournemouth are committing more fouls per game in the Premier League than the Saints.

Southampton only committed seven fouls in the initial meeting between these sides but were reduced to ten men towards the end of the second half so didn’t engage Chelsea for the majority of the game which explains them coming in under their average in that particular encounter.

As poor as Chelsea have been in recent weeks, you would expect them to get the better of a Southampton side who have only won 1 of their games on the road in the Premier League this season, conceding 24 goals in the process.

Enzo Maresca’s side have enough attacking threat to compensate for the issues they’re having at the back against a Saints side that they put five goals past in the initial encounter at St Mary’s.

Chelsea have scored 22 goals across their 12 games at Stamford Bridge this season and showed signs of attacking promise despite losing against Aston Villa last time out. They should be able to win by a comfortable margin against a Southampton side that have seen this land in 3 of their last 5 Premier League games.