Chelsea Could Close in On Second Place with Win
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The final round of Premier League fixtures during the gruelling festive period takes place over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There are several games to enjoy on Wednesday night, one of which sees 4th place Chelsea welcome Southampton to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues not only have a top four place in sight this season but are pushing Manchester City in second place. With Manchester City facing Liverpool on Thursday night, this game presents the possibility of moving within 1 point of the defending champions.
Southampton still have relegation firmly on their minds as they travel to London. The Saints are currently in 17th place, level on points with 18th place Burnley and just 1 point ahead of Fulham. Even a point from this game would be a big result.
Chelsea picked up a valuable 3 points in a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday. It was a hard fought win for Maurizio Sarri’s team and although they dominated much of the play, Chelsea struggled to break down the Eagles defence.
However, that win means Chelsea have won four of their last five Premier League games including wins over Manchester City, Brighton and Watford.
The only defeat in that sequence of five matches came in their previous home game against Leicester City. Chelsea will be wary of a similar outcome in this game but generally their home form is good. Trends show they have lost only three of their last forty-one home matches in all competitions and have kept five clean sheets in their last six.
Southampton make the trip to Stamford Bridge on the back of a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Having won back-to-back games at home against Arsenal and away to Huddersfield Town, there is a danger things are making a turn back to how they were under Mark Hughes.
The Saints have lost each of their last two Premier League matches having gone down 2-1 at home to West Ham United prior to the loss against Manchester City. Trends show Southampton have a long way to go in terms of improvement having won only six of their last forty-five Premier League games.
Southampton have struggled away from home and prior to the win over Huddersfield Town, the Saints lost six of their seven games and have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last five on the road in the Premier League.
Team news and Chelsea are waiting on the fitness of Olivier Giroud who picked up an ankle injury against Crystal Palace. With Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Victor Moses and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also unavailable Chelsea have little room for rotation.
Southampton will be without Pierre Emil Højbjerg and that will come as a blow to Ralph Hasenhuttl. Michael Obafemi, Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand are battling to be fit in time for the game.
Despite their injury problems, Chelsea have more than enough to see off Southampton in this game and could so by keeping a clean sheet in the process.
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