Injury-hit
Chelsea are expected to be without Olivier Giroud for their opening game of
2019 against Southampton.
The France international injured his ankle in Sunday's 1-0 win at Crystal
Palace, adding to the mounting numbers of injuries Maurizio Sarri has to
contend with over a hectic festive schedule.
"We are in trouble because, in January, we have to play every three days,"
the Chelsea head coach said.
Alvaro Morata could start as the main attacker and Eden Hazard is likely
play in his preferred wide left role.
Cesc Fabregas (neck), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back), Pedro (hamstring) and
Callum Hudson-Odoi (hamstring) could miss out.
Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand could miss the return to his former club
because of a back injury, while striker Michael Obafemi is expected to be
sidelined at Stamford Bridge due to a hamstring issue.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg starts a four-match suspension after being sent off
during the defeat to Manchester City.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won each of their last seven games against Southampton in all
competitions, scoring two or more goals in six of those.
Southampton have only won three of their 19 visits to Stamford Bridge in the
Premier League (D5 L11), most recently a 3-1 win over Jose Mourinho's Blues
in October 2015.
Chelsea have not lost consecutive home Premier League matches since November
2011, when they lost to Arsenal and Liverpool.
Southampton have lost nine of their last 11 Premier League matches in London
(W2).
Chelsea are playing their first Premier League game of a calendar year at
home for the first time since 2013, when they lost 0-1 to QPR thanks to a
Shaun Wright-Phillips strike.
Southampton have not won consecutive Premier League away games since March
2017, when they won at Sunderland and Watford.
Since keeping back-to-back clean sheets in October, Southampton have
conceded at least once in their last 10 Premier League games - the longest
current run in the competition.
Southampton have dropped a league-high 15 points from winning positions in
the Premier League this season.
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has been directly involved in six goals in
his last five appearances against Southampton in all competitions (five
goals, one assist), with all four of his Premier League goals against them
in this time coming as a substitute.
Eden Hazard has had a hand in seven goals in his last six matches against
Southampton for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring four and assisting
three.
Merson's prediction
I thought Southampton did well at times against Manchester City to get back
into the game, but it could have been eight before that. There's a reality
check at Southampton. There's not too many players in their team who would
get in other teams. They are in a relegation battle. They had the new
manager syndrome, beat Arsenal and Huddersfield - but since then it's not
been good.
Watching Chelsea against Palace, there was no rush, no panic, no urgency,
but it was a good result because Palace isn't the easiest place to go.
Watching United and Liverpool at the moment though, winning 1-0 does not
look that good, even when it is. I think they will probably go for Callum
Wilson in January, but Bournemouth's squad is so shallow at the moment that
it would be difficult to let him go.
MERSE SAYS: 3-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
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