Date: Thursday 26th December 2019
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
We haven’t
had time to come down from the high of a win at Tottenham Sunday, or even clear
our heads from the excesses of yesterday, but today sees the first game of the
festive season as we take on Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
Southampton
climbed out of the bottom three with a win against Villa on Saturday, their first
away win in three months. As for us, we’ve struggled at home this season. We’ve
also lacked consistency, and had our
share of defeat, although that win last weekend was a reminder of just how
well we’re able to perform – if only we could sustain it.
I doubt we’ll be quite as motivated against Southampton and that
combined with the home form issue, could take the shine off our baubles.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into today’s game,
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, says “Going
to Tottenham, in good form. The character, the fight and strength and it makes
it the best performance. I hope it helps them. For the young ones, there is a
bit of a mixture. Hopefully within the group the gives us confidence. Both
games (Southampton and Arsenal) are going to be tough, we need to show another
side of our game and getting points at home.”
Southampton Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, says “We are now three
points above the (relegation) line and this is OK, but the next fixtures are
very difficult and that means the performance has to get better and better, otherwise,
against the next opponent it will not be possible to take points. At the moment I don’t really feel like Christmas,
it is the busiest time for me.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek
(Achilles), and van Ginkel (ACL) are injured and Cesar Azpilicueta (hamstring) faces
a late test.
For Southampton, Moussa Djenepo’s (hamstring)
is out and Shane Long (knee) is a doubt, although Kevin Danso (illness) and
Sofiane Boufal (toe) could both be available again.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible
line-up): Kepa; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho; Kovacic; Willian, Abraham;
Pulisic.
SOUTHAMPTON (Possible line-up): McCarthy; Soares,
Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond; Long,
Ings
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 0-0 Southampton (2nd January 2019)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: LLWLLW
SOUTHAMPTON: DWWLLW
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea have won
eight of the last nine meetings
- Despite the win at
Tottenham Sunday, Chelsea have lost four of their last six league games.
- Chelsea could lose
consecutive Premier League home fixtures for the first time since 2011.
- Chelsea are
currently unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day.
- Southampton have
gone 13 league matches without a clean sheet.
- Southampton could
lose more than 10 times after 19 fixtures of a Premier League campaign for the
first time since 2001-02.
- Southampton have
played in London eight times on Boxing Day, winning once.
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Chelsea 2-0 Southampton
Sky Sports: Chelsea 1-1 Southampton
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Southampton
