FA Cup 3rd Round - Southampton vs Chelsea

by Shed Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:28 am

FA Cup 3rd Round - Southampton vs Chelsea Chelsea_FC

Chelsea travel to Southampton on Saturday to face off against the Saints in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup, in what could be reported new Blues signing Demba Ba's first game for the club.

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Chelsea begin the defense of their trophy in a tough away draw to Southampton

Chelsea go into this match off the back of a shock defeat to Premier League bottom club and local rivals QPR, while Southampton held Arsenal at St. Mary's to earn a well-deserved draw, and if anything, were unlucky not to take all 3 points.

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Legendary striker Peter Osgood played for both Chelsea and
Southampton, and led both to glory in this competition.

Saints Boss Nigel Adkins has said that while he'd love to see his side go on a Cup run, he is likely to field a weakened side for the draw, saying, "We've got a group of players who have worked extremely hard over the last few weeks when the games have been coming thick and fast. That will come into consideration for the team selection, but we want to win the game. You do have to rotate the players because that’s what they’re there for".

Chelsea, too, will be eyeing a strong run in the competition. The 7-time winners of the Cup have already lost 3 trophy matches this season, and with the Blues looking a certain non-competitor for the Premier League, the FA Cup may represent the last real chance at a meaningful trophy in what's undoubtedly been a disappointing season for the Londoners.

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Missing for Southampton is Captain Adam Lallana, while Nathaniel Clyne will undergo a late fitness test. Chelsea will be without Petr Cech, John Terry, and Oriol Romeu.

by Uncanny Fri Jan 04, 2013 7:25 am

haha love how informative these things are, I learn something new from every post

by Shed Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:26 am

Uncanny wrote:haha love how informative these things are, I learn something new from every post

Ah, you mean my occasional little history lessons? Well, what can I say :coffee:

by Abramovich Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:37 pm

LUKE SHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

FUTURE CHELSEA LEGEND PLEASE

by Blue Barrett Fri Jan 04, 2013 7:08 pm

Ba to score on his debut :coffee:

by Shed Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:33 pm

Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, David Luiz, Moses, Mata, Hazard, Ba.

A full-strength line-up from FSW, who surely knows that failure to win here today and we're officially in crisis mode...