Southampton
welcome leaders Chelsea to St Mary's live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday with
both sides enjoying positive results in recent weeks in the Premier League.
The Saints have won their last two games convincingly and sit fourth in the
table, while Chelsea have won five on the trot in all competitions after
their first defeat of the season at Newcastle earlier this month.
Jose Mourinho's side have conceded just two goals in those five games, but
come up against a Saints defence that has kept six clean sheets in the last
nine Premier League matches at St Mary’s.
Chelsea players and staff are in confident mood of late; Mourinho claimed
captain John Terry is as good as he was 10 years ago, while Nemanja Matic
insisted earlier in the week that the Blues could win an unprecedented
quadruple this term.
Team news
Southampton’s on-loan full-back Ryan Bertrand is ineligible to face his
parent club and Matthew Targett is likely to replace him for this game.
However, Ronald Koeman can call upon captain Jose Fonte, who is likely to
return whether the manager keeps faith with the 3-5-2 formation or not.
Shane Long, Dusan Tadic and Victor Wanyama could come in after starting from
the bench in the Boxing Day win at Crystal Palace, but Jay Rodriguez
(cruciate ligament), Sam Gallagher (knee) and Jack Cork (knock) remain out.
Mourinho has a full squad to choose from after picking up no injuries or
suspensions in the West Ham game, but is likely to make changes for the
Blues' second match in three days.
Andre Schurrle, John Obi Mikel, Filipe Luis and Didier Drogba are among
those who could come in.
Opta stats
Southampton have won just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League matches
against Chelsea (W1 D3 L6).
The Blues have scored in each of their last nine league trips to
Southampton, netting more than once six times in this run.
John Terry says if Chelsea continue their form it will be tough for anyone
to beat them to the title
Shane Long has scored in three of his last four Premier League starts
against the Blues.
Cesc Fabregas is only the third player in Premier League history to rack up
double figures for assists in five separate seasons (Ryan Giggs and Wayne
Rooney).
Chelsea have played Southampton six times before between Christmas and New
Year’s Day in the Premier League, with two draws and two wins apiece.
Paul Merson’s prediction
Ronald Koeman felt Southampton controlled the game at Selhurst Park for long
spells of the game.
“Everyone was talking about Chelsea getting a game against West Ham, who
were playing in the form of their life, but it was like an FA Cup game
between the Premier League leaders and a team three leagues below. The Blues
were a different class. I cannot see Southampton beating Chelsea and I’m
going for a 2-0 away win.”
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2
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