Chelsea to end Southampton's FA Cup dream

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Chelsea met Southampton in the Premier League last weekend and emerged from a 2-0 deficit to win 2-3. The Blues haven't been the team they were a season ago, but Antonio Conte's men still have one more chance to secure a trophy this term.

Southampton are all that stands in Chelsea's way and the FA Cup final and the Blues will once again cast the Saints to the side.

Southampton's near win a weekend ago gave many hope that the FA Cup semifinal between the two clubs would be close. However, Chelsea's ultimate win has left supporters on both sides feeling the Blues passage into the final is secure.

Southampton manager Mark Hughes could get the unenviable claim as one of the few – possibly only – managers to get two teams relegated from the Premier League in one season. Hughes was in charge of Stoke City until January and oversaw just five wins. The team were in the relegation zone when he left, and like Southampton now, Stoke are preparing for the drop.

The good news for Southampton is the FA Cup may allow the team to play with freedom. The cup competition is a chance to forget about their league troubles, and Southampton's players may not feel the pressure of relegation on Sunday. It would be great if Southampton could find the form they showed early on against Chelsea a week ago, but the Blues do have more high-calibre players in their side. The likes of Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud – who scored twice last weekend – will give Southampton's defence plenty of worries during the 90-minute match.

Conte's biggest concern will be whether to start Giroud or bring the Frenchman off the bench once more. Giroud's two goals came after being introduced in the second half. Starting striker Alvaro Morata has spent the second half of the season misfiring and could be dropped to the bench for the semifinal.

Conte could keep centre-back Antonio Rudiger out of the team. The defender publicly criticised Conte and the manager didn't take too kindly to it. Rudiger has stated he wasn't aiming his comments at Conte. With the importance of the semifinal, Conte could relent and put Rudiger back in the side. David Luiz will remain on the shelf due to injury.

Southampton may be without midfielder Mario Lemina. The Gabon international could return at the weekend for the fixture, although a time table for his return from a back injury isn't set. Sofiane Boufal is battling an illness and could be back for the semifinal.

Chelsea should have far less difficulty defeating Southampton than they did a week ago. The Blues will pick up the semifinal win and set up a cup final and Wembley return.