Eden Hazard

Chelsea travel to St. Mary's Stadium to take on Southampton as Jose Mourinho's side look to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City in race for the title.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3 pm GMT. Highlights of the game will be available on BBC Match of the Day from 10:50pm GMT on BBC One.

Overview

Southampton have fallen off after a brilliant start to the season and are currently in the ninth position, 10 points off a top four spot. Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that this game will pave the way for a resurgence in the future, having once gone as high as up to third spot in the league.

However, losses against the top teams have not helped the Saints who are reeling under a series of injuries which are threating to derail their season. However, Dejan Lovren is likely to be back against Chelsea and will slot into the backline which has not been performing to their potential in recent times.

Chelsea will be confident after taking seven points from a possible nine in the Christmas period and will come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues also secured a point against League leaders Arsenal and are currently third in the table, two points behind the Gunners. A win here will keep the pressure on their title leaders and strengthen their position as the ones to behold in the league.

Mourinho will be relieved by the fact that Samuel Eto'o managed to break his goal scoring drought after scoring the winner against the Reds. Chelsea's strikers have flattered to deceive thus far and the former Real Madrid man will be keeping a close eye on developments in the January transfer window.

Adam Lallana
Lallana on Liverpool's radar, reports suggest. (Reuters)

What the Managers Say

Mauricio Pochettino: "I don't want my players to be nasty - we just want Southampton to be refereed with the same rigour as all other clubs are judged. We don't want to be judged by our young, handsome, good-looking players. We just want what's fair. We can be a***holes as well. I am completely angry about some of the refereeing decisions. We have been suffering this all season long, many injustices that haven't gone our way. I said after the game it is easier to referee a Southampton side where we are all young and friendly."

Jose Mourinho: "We lost David (Luiz) because of yellow cards, we lost Ivanovic and Lampard with injuries. We've recovered Ramires but we are still in a difficult situation," he said ahead of the game at St Mary's Stadium. (Southampton are) another team with good players who are influenced by the manager's culture in the way they play and the way they build. And they feel very comfortable at home so it is another very, very difficult match."

Form Guide

Southampton

  • Last Five(all comeptitions, most recent first): L W L D D
  • Last Result: Everton 2-1 Southampton

Chelsea

  • Last Five(all competitions, most recent first): W W D L W
  • Last Result: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool