Saints take on the Blues : Preview

Chelsea start the new year on third place - 2 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, so are well positioned to take advantage of any slip-up from their rivals. Blues have been in scintillating form but they have been able to grind out wins and Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool meant that Blues have just lost once in their last 9 outings. Southampton on the other hand with just 1 win in 8 games have seen the drop down with third down to ninth in the table. Chelsea won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season but the Saints will take heart from the fact they won this clash at St Mary’s last season and are a far more solid unit this time around.

Team News

Southampton : Southampton are sweating on the fitness of striker Dani Osvaldo after the clubs record signing missed Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Everton through illness and will be handed a late fitness test on Wednesday.Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is available again having served a one-game ban and Nathan Clyne is expected to be recalled after recovering from a hamstring strain. Gaston Ramirez may also start after scoring against the Toffees but Artur Boruc, Victor Wanyama and Guly do Prado all remain sidelined.

Chelsea : Chelsea will be without Frank Lampard for the game after the midfielder was forced off against Liverpool with a muscle injury. However, Ramires is set for a recall having served his one-match ban and should replace Lampard in midfield. Defender Branislav Ivanovic is also out after picking up a knee injury last time out so Cesar Azpilicueta will revert to right-back with Ashley Cole coming in on the left. David Luiz is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season so Gary Cahill will continue alongside Terry at the back. Mourinho may opt to bring in Andre Schurrle for Willian while Torres may start ahead of Samuel Eto’o up front.

Expected Line-ups

Southampton : K.Davis , Clyne , Fonte , Lovren , Shaw , S.Davis , Schneiderlin , Rodriguez , Ramirez , Lallana , Lambert.

Chelsea : Cech , Azpilicueta , Cahill , Terry , Cole , Ramires , Mikel , Hazard , Osacr , Schurrle 

Torres.

My Prediction

Southampton 1:2 Chelsea - The Saints haven't been the same side they were during start of the season, so we can see Chelsea edging this one.But,Southampton have out of the blue,become a force to be reckoned with and Adam Lallana holds the key for the Saints.His link up with the likes of Osvaldo ,Ramirez and Lambert has been commendable but Danny Osvaldo's presence or absence will play a big role in the game.Schneiderlin and Davis will have a tricky test in this game as if they somehow get hold of Mikel and Ramires in the midfield,the game can well go Southampton's way.