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Southampton vs Chelsea FA Cup Preview

January 05, 2013


PREVIEW

Southampton will attempt to send holders Chelsea crashing out of the FA Cup at the third round stage on Saturday. 

The Saints have been able to pick up points on a regular basis in the Premier League of late, but they remain locked in a relegation battle and will welcome a cup distraction. 

Free of the pressure which accompanies scratching around towards the foot of the top flight table, Nigel Adkins will be looking for his players to express themselves in knockout competition. 

Southampton may feel that they are catching Chelsea at a good time, with the Blues having suffered a surprise defeat to Queens Park Rangers in midweek. 

Chelsea are, however, looking to defend a trophy they claimed back in May with victory over Liverpool. 

The FA Cup has been kind to the capital outfit in recent years, with major silverware returning to west London on four occasions in the last six seasons.

TEAM NEWS

SOUTHAMPTON

Adam Lallana is once again set to miss out for Southampton as he continues to nurse a knee injury 

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne could feature at St Mary's after a knee complaint of his own, while 18-year-old James Ward-Prowse is expected to be handed a starting berth. 

Gaston Ramirez is available to feature despite sustaining a dead leg against Arsenal on New Year's Day. 

Zambia international Emmanuel Mayuka leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations after the game.

CHELSEA

Chelsea are likely to ask Ross Turnbull to continue deputising for the injured Petr Cech, with the Blues' first-choice goalkeeper struggling with a groin injury. 

Rafa Benitez will also be without club captain John Terry and Oriol Romeu (both knee), but would have been looking to shuffle his pack anyway in an effort to offer rest time to key men. 

Yossi Benayoun could come back into contention for the Blues after returning to Stamford Bridge from a loan spell at West Ham.

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Source: SkySports

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