Team
news, stats and prediction ahead of Chelsea vs Southampton in the Premier
League on Boxing Day.
Cesar Azpilicueta will be checked on by Chelsea after limping off against
Tottenham and Frank Lampard reported a few "bumps and bruises" but nothing
too serious in his squad. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is Chelsea's sole missing star.
The England midfielder has stepped up his recovery from a long-term heel
problem, but is not yet ready for a playing return.
Southampton are monitoring Moussa Djenepo's hamstring injury suffered in the
win over Aston Villa.
Yan Valery is out with a virus.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won seven of their last eight Premier League games against
Southampton (D1), since a 1-3 home loss in October 2015.
Southampton and Chelsea drew 0-0 in this exact fixture last season - Saints
have never kept consecutive away clean sheets against the Blues in the
top-flight.
Chelsea and Southampton have met four times on Boxing Day in the Premier
League, most famously 20 years ago when Chelsea became the first Premier
League side to name a starting XI with no British players in a 2-1 win at
the Dell.
Chelsea are currently unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League Boxing Day
games (W9 D5), the longest such run without defeat in the competition's
history. Their last loss was back in 2003 against Charlton (2-4).
This is Southampton's 17th Premier League Boxing Day game (W4 D6 L6), and it
will be their 16th such game against a London side, with the exception being
a 3-0 win at Cardiff in 2013. Their only away Boxing Day victory in the
capital in the competition was at Crystal Palace in 2014 (otherwise D4 L3).
Chelsea have lost two of their last three Premier League home games (W1), as
many as they had in their previous 28 at Stamford Bridge in the competition
(W16 D10 L2). Indeed, in all competitions the Blues have lost five home
games this season - only once in the 21st century have they lost more at
Stamford Bridge (6 in 2015-16).
Southampton have scored in each of their last eight Premier League away
games, their longest such streak in the competition since a run of 11
between December 2013-April 2014. Indeed, only Man City (20) and Liverpool
(12) are on longer current runs of scoring in consecutive away games in the
competition than Saints.
Southampton's last 16 Premier League goals have been scored by English
players - excluding own goals, it's the longest such run in the competition
since Queens Park Rangers between March 1996-September 2011 (17).
Danny Ings scored Southampton's goal in their 1-4 defeat in the reverse
fixture against Chelsea. In the Premier League era, only Rickie Lambert
(2012-13) and Kevin Davies (1997-98) have scored in both games against the
Blues in a single season for the club.
Chelsea's Willian has netted four goals in 17 Premier League appearances,
one more than he netted in 32 games last term. Willian, who scored twice
last time out vs Spurs, hasn't found the net in consecutive PL games since
October 2015.
Charlie's prediction
I thought Chelsea were fabulous against Tottenham. As good as Tammy Abraham
and Mason Mount have been, how good was Willian? He is up there with the
likes of Jamie Vardy, Kevin De Bruyne and Sadio Mane for me.
We are quite right to support the young Chelsea players, they will be an
up-and-down team and will feel the pressure of demands when Southampton sit
in. Danny Ings is in the form of his life and if he gets a half chance he
will take it.
There is lots to like about Southampton, things are promising after their
huge win at Aston Villa. They are much better away from home and Chelsea may
be the latest team to realise that.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
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