Eden
Hazard and Diego Costa are both expected to start for Chelsea as they look
to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League when hosting
Southampton on Tuesday night, live
Sky Sports 1 HD.
The duo were named on the substitutes' bench for Saturday's FA Cup
semi-final win over Tottenham, though Hazard did score in the 4-2 victory
after both were introduced in the 61st minute.
Chelsea will look towards their influential attacking duo when tackling the
Saints at Stamford Bridge - a win would hand the Blues a seven-point
advantage before second-placed Tottenham head to Crystal Palace on
Wednesday, which is also on
Sky Sports 1 HD.
Antonio Conte got the desired response from his Chelsea side in the FA Cup
victory over Spurs, having witnessed a lacklustre display in their previous
league encounter at Old Trafford, where they lost 2-0 to Manchester United.
And Southampton boss Claude Puel is aware of the tough task ahead for his
side, who currently sit ninth, three points behind West Brom but a
staggering 17 points off Arsenal in seventh.
"They are a fantastic team that want to win the title, but for us as well it
is important to take points," Puel said.
"I am confident with my players. They work very well in training. It's
important to play our game and enjoy it.
"The best team in the Premier League is the one with the most consistency
and, for the moment, that is Chelsea."
Team news
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has recovered from gastroenteritis to return to
training and could feature against Southampton.
Nathan Ake replaced Cahill and could continue in the starting XI if Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte opts not to risk his on-field captain, who took a
full part in training on Sunday and Monday.
Matt Targett and Charlie Austin will return to training after recovering
from respective hamstring and shoulder injuries but neither is available for
the trip.
Sam McQueen is doubtful after sustaining a groin injury while Virgil van
Dijk (foot) and Alex McCarthy (hamstring) remain absent.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven Premier League games at
Stamford Bridge against Southampton (W3 D3 L1), though this was last time
out (1-3 loss in October 2015).
The Blues have scored in 15 of their 17 Premier League home games against
Southampton, only failing to score in April 1995 (0-2 defeat) and December
2002 (0-0 draw).
Costa has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three Premier
League appearances against Southampton (two goals, one assist).
Costa is now on a five-match run without a goal in the Premier League; his
longest goalless streak in league competition since a six-game run between
December 2012 and January 2013 in La Liga with Atletico de Madrid.
After losing just one Premier League match in six months between October
2016 and March 2017 (W19 D2 L1), Chelsea have already lost two games in
April (W2 D0 L2).
The Blues haven't lost three Premier League matches in the same month since
October 2015 under Jose Mourinho - one of which was against Southampton at
Stamford Bridge.
The only previous occasion that Conte has lost three top-flight league
matches as a manager in the same month was in November 2009 for Atalanta.
Southampton have won three of their last four Premier League away matches
(W3 D0 L1) - more than they had in their previous 12 league games on the
road in 2016/17 (W2 D3 L7).
Chelsea have gone 10 Premier League games without keeping a clean sheet for
the first time since December 1996 (13 games).
Hazard has been involved in 14 goals in his last 17 Premier League
appearances at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea (11 goals, three assists).
Merson's prediction
I see Chelsea winning the title now. If they'd have been beaten by Tottenham
in the FA Cup semi-final they'd have lost two big games on the trot and been
heading into the game against Southampton low on confidence. Now they are
back in a good place and after giving Hazard and Costa a bit of a rest I
don't see what happened last year happening again.
Saturday's team selection was a gamble for Conte but what he was saying was:
"If I win the FA Cup it's a bonus but I'm here to win the Premier League."
And rightly so. It's worked out perfectly for him as well because Hazard and
Costa will be fresh.
Last year, Southampton's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge was one of the downfalls
of Mourinho. I expect Chelsea to win this game and put severe pressure on
Tottenham by going seven points clear again.
In the last couple of weeks Tottenham have played before Chelsea and I think
they could have done with that being the case again. If they'd have been
able to play Palace before and get the victory to be just one point behind,
that's a different kettle of fish.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
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