Team
news, key stats and predictions ahead of Southampton vs Chelsea in the
Premier League.
Full-back Cedric Soares was absent for the 2-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium last time out after pulling out injured in the warm-up.
The Portugal international has a calf problem and will remain unavailable
when Frank Lampard's Blues visit St Mary's.
Boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has further injury concerns, with Moussa Djenepo
sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a hip issue.
The Mali winger has scored twice in three top-flight games since his summer
switch from Standard Liege, but has not featured since claiming the winner
at Sheffield United on September 14.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will be without Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles), Emerson
Palmieri (thigh), Antonio Rudiger (groin) and Marco Van Ginkel (knee) for
Sunday's clash on the south coast.
Opta stats
Southampton have won only two of their last 20 Premier League meetings with
Chelsea (W2 D6 L12) and are winless in the last seven (W0 D1 L6).
Chelsea have won nine of their 12 away visits to St. Mary's Stadium against
Southampton in all competitions (W9 D2 L1), including each of the last four
in a row.
Chelsea have scored at least once in each of their last 15 away games
against Southampton in all competitions (33 goals in total), last failing to
find the net in a 0-1 loss in December 1997.
Southampton have won just one point at home in the Premier League so far
this season, compared to six away from home - the smallest proportion of
home points won so far this term (14 per cent).
Southampton have found the net in each of their last 17 home Premier League
games, last having a longer run in the top-flight between April
1980-December 1981 (31 games). However, Saints have only kept one clean
sheet in the current run of 17.
Only Watford (33) have conceded more Premier League away goals in 2019 than
Chelsea (27). However, the Blues have won their last two on the road despite
conceding twice each time.
After English players had scored their first 11 Premier League goals this
season, Chelsea's last three have been netted by a Frenchman, an Italian and
a Brazilian.
Charlie's prediction
This is another good test for Southampton, who were decent against
Tottenham. Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham have been praised, and rightly so.
Abraham has earned his first England call-up, rightly so too. Chelsea are
sitting in seventh which is acceptable - it is tight at the moment. It will
be a season full of ups and downs for the Blues and with lots of games
coming up for their youngsters, it may just take its toll on occasions.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
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