Chelsea V Southampton: Match Preview, Team News and Predictions

Frank Lampard will be looking to build on arguably the biggest win of his Chelsea tenure thus far when Southampton visit on Boxing Day.

A tactical win over former mentor Jose Mourinho saw Tottenham beaten on home soil last time out, Willian netting both in what turned out to be a comfortable win.

Still, it was just the Blues second win in six and another slip-up will undo the good work done in north London. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side earned a third win in five with a huge 3-1 away win over relegation rivals Aston Villa in their previous game.

Team news 

Lampard could keep the same team that played so impressively at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but with the hectic Christmas schedule upon us and a trip to Arsenal on Sunday, the Blues head coach may revert to a back four and freshen up the attacking areas.

Jorginho and Christian Pulisic were left on the bench at Spurs and will be pushing for inclusion while Cesar Azpilicueta may have to be assessed after limping off gingerly although he left the stadium unaided.

Southampton: Kevin Danso is hoping to have overcome a fever to feature in the matchday squad, but Moussa Djenepo’s thigh injury is likely to keep him out.

Yan Valery is not expected to return before the new year.

Chelsea: Kepa, James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.​

Southampton: McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Long, Ings​

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