Chelsea
will be looking to put their Champions League heartache to the backs of
their minds when they take on Southampton in the live Super Sunday clash.
It all looked so promising for the Blues on Wednesday night when they were
2-1 to the good on aggregate against 10 men, but David Luiz and his Paris
Saint-Germain team-mates had other ideas.
Domestically, the Blues hold a five-point lead at the top of the table with
one game in hand, and Jose Mourinho’s men are firm favourites to wrestle the
title away from the Manchester stronghold.
However, should Manchester City secure all three points against Burnley on
Saturday, and Southampton capitalise on a more vulnerable Chelsea on Sunday,
the gap at the top would be cut to just two points.
Saints’ season has been derailed somewhat by a lack of goals in recent
months, with just one solitary Sadio Mane strike to their name in their last
six outings.
However, with the best defensive record in the league, Saints will fancy
their chances against the Blues, and could put a severe dent into Mourinho’s
title hopes.
Team news
Chelsea boss Mourinho insists "everyone wants to play" and has Nemanja Matic
available for domestic duty after a two-match suspension was served prior to
Wednesday's European exit.
John Obi Mikel (knee) is the only definite injury absentee for the contest.
Toby Alderweireld is set to make his first appearance in nine weeks for
Southampton.
The Belgium defender has been out since picking up a hamstring complaint at
Manchester United on January 11 and after been an unused substitute last
time out, is likely to start at Stamford Bridge.
Jay Rodriguez (knee) and Emmanuel Mayuka (groin) remain absent, but Ronald
Koeman has no fresh injury concerns.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 11 Barclays Premier League games
against Southampton (W6 D4 L1).
Shane Long has scored in two of his three Premier League appearances at
Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are the only team in the four divisions of English football who have
not lost a home match in the league this season.
Chelsea are the only team in the Premier League to recover anything from a
game where Southampton have taken the lead this season.
Sadio Mané has scored in five of his last seven Premier League starts.
Southampton are the only team not to concede a penalty in the Premier League
this season.
Merson's prediction
I think Chelsea will bounce back from the PSG game. It’s a tough game for
Southampton, who have done great this season. Diego Costa is definitely due
a goal – he hasn’t scored in seven games. He didn’t score a single goal in
the Champions League. That is unbelievable as it wasn’t the hardest group in
the world.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
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