Southampton vs Chelsea: Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups
Chelsea travel to European hopefuls Southampton on New Year's Day knowing their hosts have only one Premier League win in their last five against the Blues on the South Coast.
That solitary victory for the Saints since 2000 came in March in an all-English scoring affair. Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert were on target at St Marys with Chelsea only briefly level through John Terry under interim boss Rafa Benitez.
Mauricio Pochettino's team have only picked up one point from the last nine available on home turf and five throughout December. The reverse fixture exactly one month before this second meeting of the season saw Southampton lead early again through Rodriguez but then succumb to second half Blues goals from Gary Cahill, Terry and Demba Ba.
Such a lean festive season has seen the Saints slip to ninth place in the table and as many points off the European places. Chelsea meanwhile have been grinding out results over Christmas. Jose Mourinho's men have won by the odd goal in three of their last four league outings. They are third and just two points off top spot going into the New Year.
Team News
Pochettino must assess the fitness of striker Dani Osvaldo, goalie Kelvin Davis and fullback Nathaniel Clyne. The latter pair made their returns in Southampton's 2-1 defeat at Everton. Italy attacker Osvaldo has missed recent matches through illness.
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is back from a ban, but Victor Wanyama, Guly Do Prado and Artur Boruc remain out. Jack Cork could face his former club and talented Saints left back Luke Shaw is set to face one of his potential suitors.
Blues boss Mourinho meanwhile lost David Luiz to suspension for this match after the Brazilian received his fifth booking of the season in Sunday's win over Liverpool. Compatriot Ramires is available for selection again though as he has served a ban.
Chelsea will be missing Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic, however, as both limped off during their last outing. Some rotation in the front four is expected. Cesar Azpilicueta should start at right back, allowing Ashley Cole to come into the XI.
Likely Line-Ups
Southampton: 1 Kelvin Davis, 22 Calum Chambers/2 Nathaniel Clyne, 5 Dejan Lovren, 6 Jose Fonte, 23 Luke Shaw, 4 Morgan Schneiderlin/16 James Ward-Prowse, 18 Jack Cork, 20 Adam Lallana, 8 Steven Davis/10 Gaston Ramirez, 9 Jay Rodriguez, 7 Rickie Lambert 4-2-3-1
Chelsea: 1 Petr Cech, 28 Cesar Azpilicueta, 24 Gary Cahill, 26 John Terry, 3 Ashley Cole, 7 Ramires, 12 John Obi Mikel, 10 Juan Mata/14 Andre Schurrle, 11 Oscar/22 Willian, 17 Eden Hazard, 9 Fernando Torres/29 Samuel Eto'o 4-2-3-1