The corresponding fixture last season ended horribly for the Top 4-chasing Blues. Jay Rodriguez scored on 23 minutes to put the Saints ahead, but a John Terry leveler headed in 10 minutes later gave the Blues hope of a positive result. 2 minutes after that, however, a magnificent free-kick from Saints forward Ricky Lambert restored the home side's lead, and condemned Rafa Benitez to yet another defeat and the Blues to yet another setback in their push for a Champions League place.










The reverse fixture just 1 month to the day previous Wednesday's match, however, saw the home side earn a crucial 3-1 victory. The Blues bemusingly went behind after just 14 seconds after a ludicrous and careless backpass from Michael Essien towards Petr Cech was pounced on by Southampton front-man Jay Rodriguez to put his side in front. Mourinho's men took control of the match soon after, but failed to break through before the interval. The second half, however, saw a surge from the Blues as Gary Cahill's equaliser after 55 minutes was followed up 7 minutes later by John Terry's header to put Chelsea deservedly in front. Demba Ba's unconventional attempt in the 90th minute gave Chelsea their third on the night, and sewed up a vital 3 points.










The sides were both at opposite ends of 2-1 scorelines the weekend prior. Southampton traveled to Merseyside to take on high-flying Everton. The Saints went behind after 7 minutes through a superb goal from Seamus Coleman, but leveled things up with 20 minutes remaining through an equally brilliant strike from Gaston Ramirez. 3 minutes after that, however, Everton struck again through a decisively taken goal from none other than Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku, and Mauricio Pochettino's men were condemned to defeat. Chelsea, likewise, triumphed 2-1 over title rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. After calamitously going behind just 4 minutes in through a Martin Skrtel header, the Blues responded in fine fashion. A wonder-goal from Eden Hazard to level it up on the night and an effort from Samuel Eto'o snuck in past Simon Mignolet handed José Mourinho's men a massive victory and a crucial 3 points.










Both sides go into this match on the back of starkly contrasting form. Southampton have been steadily, and perhaps inevitably, declining from the wondrous start they got off to this season. The Saints have won just 1 of their last 8 Premier League games - that win, a 3-0 victory over Cardiff City at St. Mary's on Boxing Day - and 5 of them losses. As a result, Mauricio Pochettino's men have sunk to 9th in the table, a distant 9 points off a European place that looked ever so attainable in the season's early days. Chelsea, likewise, have been on something of a renaissance of recent. The Blues have won 6 of their last 8 in the League, and look to be gaining momentum following a brief hairy patch where they were leaking goals for fun followed by a well-navigated festive period. Still just 2 points off top, José Mourinho's men will be raring to go for the reverse set of Premier League fixtures, and 3 points at St. Mary's to kick off the second half of the campaign will be set firmly in their sights.











Missing for the home side are summer signings Victor Wanyama and Dani Osvaldo, as well as goalkeeper Artur Boruc, while Chelsea look set to be without Frank Lampard after the midfield veteran was brought off at halftime in the Blues' 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, though Branislav Ivanovic, also brought off in that match through injury, looks to have recovered.

It will be an extremely tough game, let's hope we can take our first half vs Liverpool form into this game.

Chelsea boss José Mourinho set to be without injured trio for Southampton trip:
Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz will all be missing for the New Year's Day clash at St Mary's
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-team-news-jose-mourinho-2974838

Ye wont be easy..

SOUTHAMPTON XI: K. Davis (c), Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana, Rodriguez, Ramírez

CHELSEA XI: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry (c), Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Schurrle, Mata, Hazard; Torres

SUBS: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Lambert, Ward-Prowse, Hooiveld, Gallagher


SUBS: Schwarzer, Kalas, Essien, Oscar, Willian, Eto'o and Ba

So close from Torres

4 minutes in and we've already had several chances to go ahead. Torres looking lively.

Cahills positioning   

HT: 0-0


Have thought the 'we don't take our chances' bit has been overstated a bit at times, but certainly not in this game. Have missed multiple absolute sitters. Could be about 4 up.

Shed wrote:HT: 0-0


Have thought the 'we don't take our chances' bit has been overstated a bit at times, but certainly not in this game. Have missed multiple absolute sitters. Could be about 4 up.

pretty much..

Shaw off at HT. Clearly up to the box for talks with Roman

Mata in first player to be subbed off shocker.

Mata is mad!

WHY DO U DIVE THERE? FFS!

Oscar. F*cking stupid. Dive over with zero contact when there's an empty net right in front of you.

TORRREEESSSSSSS

LUCKY GOAL! But TORRESSS!

YEY points for me hahaha

What a shot from Oscar that set that up though!   

Torres iz bak i alwayz new he wod cum bak

Freaking nice goal!