Southampton

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Southampton boss Russell Martin was tearing his hair out about their disallowed goal against Brighton on Friday. His side still picked up a really good, battling point - but they really needed all three.

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.

It won't be a stroll for Enzo Maresca's side but they have so much quality in their team and they look so dangerous at the moment - up front, Nicolas Jackson is on fire.

Jackson's improvement this campaign compared with last is making me think maybe I should have had a second season at Stamford Bridge. There are a lot of Chelsea fans who tell me that... but most of them are unhappy I even had one season there.

Ryan's prediction: 1-2

I've got a couple of mates who are Southampton fans and I like the way they try to play. I'm just not sure their players are good enough to do it.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton have won their past two Premier League games against Chelsea, as many as in their previous 18 (D5 L11). They last won three consecutive league games against the Blues between 1979 and 1985.

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Still bottom of the league, still cursing over VAR decisions and with a very worrying slate of fixtures on the horizon... Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham are up next and all are playing European football this season. It was never going to be easy was it?

On the face of things, it does not look great, especially off the back of the most recent game at Brighton. Once again, we were left fuming at VAR for being denied the winner.

On the plus side, we were competitive against a very good side. And that is not the first time this campaign. It ends a run of nine straight away defeats, making it our first point on the road this season, and our first coming from behind. It was a second half to be proud of. The performances are coming.

However unfortunately, the negatives are still outweighing the positives. The injuries are piling up, and suspensions are moving to the forefront. We are five points from safety before the game with Chelsea on Wednesday and are already without Aaron Ramsdale and Jan Bednarek through injury. On top of that, our England hero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling all miss out through a culmination of five yellow cards. All three have been among our best players this season.

It leaves Russell Martin with a selection headache as Lesley Ugochukwu is unable to fill in against his parent club, and Alex McCarthy and Paul Onuachu remain doubts. It will mean a very unfamiliar line-up.

You could argue that even with a full-strength XI, it may not be enough against a strong Chelsea team who have lost just twice this season and have seven wins from their past 10 trips to St. Mary's.

Getting these suspensions out of the way before the busier December schedule could prove a blessing in disguise. It will mean a chance for the fringe players to show their worth in this hectic run of games between now and New Year. We may also get to see Ronnie Edwards.

We have shown fight against these bigger clubs - so let's do the same again.

Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo has called on his team-mates to "step up and show how good the squad is" when they host Chelsea on Wednesday (19:30 GMT).

The Nigeria international has played in all bar one of the Saints' Premier League games so far this season, but knows it will be tough against the side who sit third in the table.

"It's going to be difficult. The manager will have a gameplan and we need to carry that out and leave it out there on the pitch," Aribo told BBC Radio Solent.

"They're very good. I watched them the other day against Aston Villa - it was a top performance. I like what they're doing and how far they've come.

"[Enzo Maresca] is a top manager. What he's doing just showcases how good he is and what he can do in the game.

Manager Russell Martin spoke about the Saints being without their "five most consistent players" and Aribo believes the whole group must come together and prove their worth.

"It's important for everyone to step up and show how good the squad is," he said.

"It shows how big it is to stay ready because you never know when you're going to be called upon."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton have been drawn to play Swansea City in the FA Cup third round at St Mary's Stadium.

The tie will take place between 9-13 January.

See the full draw here

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League visit of Chelsea (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Martin said he is "hopeful" striker Paul Onuachu will be fit for the visit of the Blues, while Jan Bednarek will be in the squad "all being well".

• On Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Flynn Downes and Tyler Dibling being suspended: "We are probably without our five most consistent players so we have to tweak and adapt. Am I kicking myself for playing three of our best players and getting a point away at Brighton? Absolutely not."

• Martin was happy with Downes' performance in Friday's 1-1 draw at Brighton: "His frustration of being suspended has overtaken his feeling for scoring. It was one of his best performances for us."

• He believes players are ready to step in: "Ryan Manning coming in from being not even on the bench and doing really well is an example. We have a big squad but we knew all season we'd need everyone. You can go from being not on the bench to starting and that's it. We have trust in the players coming in and trust in the shape because they have done it before."

• On the challenge posed by Enzo Maresca's Chelsea: "He he has done a great job and I am really pleased a club like Chelsea has recognised what he did in the Championship because it was incredible. His players are really starting to click into gear and get into flow."

• When asked about PGMOL after his side's controversial disallowed goal against the Seagulls: "It's probably a bit harder than it needs to be. Some stuff gets left on field because they know they have VAR, but then on Friday the process means it doesn't get corrected by VAR. But I have trust and faith in Howard Webb to hold the right people to account."

Listen to Martin's comments about VAR and PGMOL here

Listen to commentary of Southampton v Chelsea live on the BBC Sport website on Wednesday

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League players Danny Murphy and Dion Dublin have been praising Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling on Match of the Day, staking their claims that the 18-year-old "is going to be something special" in the future.

Murphy said: "It is the quality he has got - the belief in himself and the physical power. He just goes past people with ease. He has got a lovely left foot. He is very brave on the ball and his decision-making is good.

"It is difficult to get too over the top with these young players, because he has just come on to the scene, but he is going to be something special.

"It is great for him getting all these minutes at Southampton. They are giving him the freedom to play and giving him time to learn the game.

"He is just enjoying himself and he is playing with a real belief in himself. He is just instrumental in this team."

Dublin added: "Do you know what it is? I don't want to put any pressure on him, but he plays his game like Cole Palmer, doesn't he?

"He plays free and easy, and he gets himself into good positions, rolls players and takes the ball well."

Watch Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton are set to be without Jan Bednarek, Aaron Ramsdale, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tyler Dibling, Flynn Downes and Adam Lallana when they host Chelsea at St Mary's on Wednesday (19:30 GMT).

Former Saints player Jo Tessem has been discussing how manager Russell Martin should navigate setting up his side to face the Blues on the latest Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast.

"The midfield is going to be a bit tricky because Joe Aribo can come in and Mateus Fernandes is still available, but Lesley Ugochukwu can't play against his parent club," Tessem said. "But everyone else is out, so this is going to be tricky.

"[Yukinari] Sugawara has to play. Jack Stephens has to play. Charlie Taylor probably has to come in as the left-back or you have got [Kyle] Walker-Peters, which then allows you to put Charlie Taylor in at centre-back with Jack Stephens.

"So that issue could be sorted, but this is a tricky one [for Russell Martin].

"But, if we go back to last season, Adam Armstrong popped back into midfield, with success, for quite a few games. However, this is Chelsea so it is a different level - but who else are you going to put in there?"

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Southampton, Bournemouth and Brentford are eyeing 22-year-old Portuguese forward Fabio Silva, who is on loan at Las Palmas from Wolves. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United

• West Ham United 2-5 Arsenal

Chris Wise
Match of the Day commentator at Amex Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Tyler Dibling has always looked at home in the Premier League, but he has taken such big strides even in the 13 games he has played for Southampton in the top-flight this season.

It looks like he owns the stage now.

The comparisons to when Jack Grealish burst onto the scene are very fair - and it isn't just the low socks!

I love the fearlessness of his play. The way he trusts his physicality, as an 18-year-old, is so impressive. He can repel opponents with ease using his shoulders, and yet the ball is like a magnet to his feet.

Clearly Saints are going to need to protect him.

He is suspended for their next game against Chelsea, which is clearly a blow for him and for Russell Martin, but stepping out of the team every now and again isn't the worst thing for his development.

Truly, Dibling could be anything.

As much as he needs Southampton, the Saints need him right now.

The latest Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore is joined by former Saints player Jo Tessem to debrief after a dramatic night at Amex Stadium, as Southampton drew to Brighton.

Tessem believes "any point away from home in the Premier League is a good point," - but do you agree?

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Brighton and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Robert: Another frustrating Brighton performance. We need to take our chances. There is too much passing back. Even I believe the second disallowed goal was a good goal, so even more good luck for Brighton! I want to see Evan Ferguson given more playing time.

Billy: A solid first-half performance in which we should have killed the game off. The second-half performance was one of the worst I've seen this season. We massively miss Baleba! I don't know why but we always struggle against the smaller teams at home. That has to change if we want to challenge for Europe this season!

David: I never thought a team could miss one man as much as this side did with Baleba. The second half was probably the poorest I have seen them play this season. But second place in the Premier League, for a short while, is a dream come true. On this display, Southampton will not go down.

Robin: My thoughts are generally unprintable. The one that I can put out is how the defence looked far more composed once Lewis Dunk returned. One man doesn't make a team, but he surely is the glue that holds the rest together.

Southampton fans

Rich: In the first half, Saints were woeful and lucky not to be two or three goals down by half-time. They were definitely better in the second half and had more fight, but then the equaliser came from nowhere. VAR has done Saints yet again though. It has cost us eight or nine points this season already.

Anthony: Russell Martin has to go - the owners are clueless! Most of the players just turned up for the pay cheque. It doesn't matter to them if the club gets relegated, because they will have had a season in the Premier League. The honourable exceptions are Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes, who will get a transfer when we get relegated.

Bob: We gave them problems and played decently. That was the worst decision I've seen in my life. We should have won, but I will take a draw against second place.

Daz: It was an OK performance - nothing spectacular. We will take a point, even though we will be relegated anyway. Dibling played well, we will be lucky to keep hold of him in the transfer window. I won't hold my breath with this result being the change we need, as I expect we will be back to our losing ways next weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been speaking to BBC Sport after his side were held to a draw at Amex Stadium: "I liked a lot of it. I think we have been better than that and not got a point. Second-half, I really liked. First-half, there was a lack of conviction and aggression in certain moments.

"They responded brilliantly. A good performance against a good team."

On the disallowed goal: "It was a good goal. We had some clarity on the decision. I have so much respect for how difficult it is for referees and assistants on the pitch. I understand why they would give it in the heat of the moment, but that's why VAR is there.

"I would understand if the ball went in to Adam [Armstrong] or it was close enough for him [the goalkeeper] to come for. He didn't motion for the ball.

"[If] we have something for offsides, do it. There's not a grey area with technology. It is either offside or it's not. If it's made in the heat of moment, you can accept it easier but it's when you have to wait so long."

On the goal which stood: "A brilliant finish. A really good move from back to front. I liked the courage. We need to keep turning the screw. If they keep giving us everything, the results will change.

"They have been creeping up with belief. We've had a difficult level of opponent. We were excellent and went toe-to-toe with a team who have gone second [in the Premier League table]."

On his words with Fabian Hurzeler at the end of the game: "The manager decided to say something about respect. I've never seen an opposition manager try to get as many players booked as that. Respect is reciprocal and mutual."

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton goalscorer Flynn Downes has been speaking to Sky Sports following the draw: "It is massive to come here with the form they are on [and get a result]. They are a good team. We knew it would be tough, but we will take a point."

On team-mate Tyler Dibling's form: "It is crazy. He is getting better every week. Hopefully he carries on and he'll have some career."

On scoring his first Premier League goal: "What a feeling - to do it in front of the fans [as well], they have been so good this year. Hopefully this is a turning point in our season."

Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling has also been speaking to Sky Sports about the result: "We get another goal disallowed. I feel like we have been unlucky this season. It is another point and we need to step up from there.

"Russell [Martin] trusts to play me. It is good to get a run of games and show people what I can do."

On his confidence: "It is just how I play, no matter who I play against. I have always been like that."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This continues to be a season of struggle for Southampton, but they showed enough gumption here to avoid losing 10 consecutive top-flight away games for the first time since 1974.

Russell Martin made four changes to the side which led then lost to Liverpool, including a Premier League debut for 29-year-old goalkeeper Joe Lumley in place of Alex McCarthy, dropped after an unconvincing performance against the Reds.

Old issues remained - Lumley had to make a close-range save after just six minutes when his defence gave the ball away in their own box, while he was nearly caught out of position when Mitoma caught Sugawara unawares, only to shoot wide.

Lumley, playing his first league game since April 2023 for Reading in the third tier, badly mishit a clearance early in the second half and was lucky to escape unpunished.

But they improved after the break and were ultimately good value for a point - although given the controversial intervention of VAR, they may feel robbed of all three.

On the other hand, scorer Flynn Downes was perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch after committing several fouls for only a booking.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Brighton fans, let us know your thoughts, external

What did you make of Southampton’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Saturday to find a selection of your replies

For teams down at the bottom, some have that player who can save them and others are missing that talisman.

Wolves have got Matheus Cunha. If they can really get him firing, we saw last season how important he was to the team. The goal at Fulham at the weekend was one that affected that result. If Gary O'Neil can get him back to his best, he could be their potential saviour this season.

On the other hand, I do not think Southampton have that player. They relied heavily on Adam Armstrong in the Championship for goals, but I do not think he brings the same qualities we saw last season when he was able to get a consistent run of goals. Yes, Southampton are a great possession-based team but they do not have that player that will get 20 goals.

With Ipswich, they have got Liam Delap with all his attributes and they also have Omari Hutchinson too who can contribute towards the goalscoring the team needs.

When I look at Everton, I do not see them having that talisman, that player that is going to get you the goals, but as a team they have a knowhow in the Premier League. That is so important when you are fighting at the bottom. That is what Everton collectively as a team and boss Sean Dyche know how to do.

Crystal Palace have got Jean-Phillippe Mateta, they have got Eddie Nketiah, there is Ebere Eze too if they can keep him fit, so I am not worried for them. They have got a lot of injuries which has not helped and they lost two key players in the summer, but I think they have enough. If they can get players back fit, they can go on a run again like we saw at the end of last season.

And then there is Leicester. They have only really got Jamie Vardy who is ageing but does know how to score goals in the Premier League. They are struggling and I feel out of the teams battling relegation, it is Leicester and Southampton who have not got a talisman that can save them.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you who scored Southampton's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Yukinari Sugawara, who netted in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford on 31 August.