Southampton face two of the ‘big six’ in the upcoming spell of fixtures over the festive period, with clashes against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur approaching.
Saints play the Blues next on Boxing Day at Stamford Bridge, while a home match against Spurs will await them on New Year’s Day.
It would be fair to say that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s counterparts are the favourites heading into both fixtures, but they will not be without their share of respective absentees.
Chelsea went to Tottenham and won 2-0 on Sunday, but key players on either side were condemned to disciplinary action during the game.
Mateo Kovacic received his fifth yellow card of the season despite the Blues’ win, meaning that he will be unavailable for his team’s encounter with Southampton on Boxing Day.
Soon after, Heung-min Son was given his marching orders with a straight red card after kicking out at Antonio Rudiger. The Tottenham star will, therefore, serve a three-match ban, rendering him out of contention for the match on New Year’s Day.
Southampton won’t be given much of a chance in either fixture, but the absence of Kovacic and Son for their respective clubs could make life a little easier.
