Preview: Southampton vs. Chelsea

Southampton host Chelsea on New Year's Day hoping to improve on a run of just one victory in eight games.

The Saints reached as high as third position in the Premier League table earlier in the campaign, but five points from a possible 24 have seen them fall down to ninth place.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino welcomes Morgan Schneiderlin back from suspension, while Nathanial Clyne could return in defence.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will be in confident mood after witnessing his side record a 2-1 triumph over Liverpool on Sunday.

However, the Blues will be without the suspended David Luiz for the trip to St Mary's Stadium, while Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard are injury doubts after being withdrawn at the weekend.

Recent form

Southampton: LDDLWL

Chelsea: WWLDWW

Possible starting lineups

Southampton: Davis; Clyne, Shaw, Fonte, Lovren; Schneiderlin, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, S.Davis, Lallana; Lambert

Chelsea: Cech; Cole, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry; Mikel, Hazard, Ramires, Oscar, Willian; Torres

Sports Mole says: 1-1