Buoyed by scoring nine goals in the past week against MK Dons and Swansea, Southampton head to Chelsea with the rather unfamiliar feeling of being in front of their opponents in the table.

With Saints in their self-respecting 10th position, compared to their hosts who are rather less happy in 14th, their manager Ronald Koeman may feel this is the best opportunity to win three points against Jose Mourinho, his former colleague at Barcelona, after being just one of two clubs to not lose to the Blues last season.

But to do that, Koeman will have to go against the record book; not only has Mourinho lost just twice to league opposition at Stamford Bridge over his two spells, he’s also never lost to Southampton at home. Ronald will want those record books rewritten.

Team news

Ronald Koeman has got almost his full squad available to play in West London, with Jordy Clasie looking to be named in the eighteen for the first time in the Premier League after injury against Vitesse Arnhem back in July. Oriol Romeu returns to his former club, after leaving Chelsea in the summer for £5m.

Selection issues are far more prominent for Jose Mourinho, with the controversial selection against FC Porto perhaps indicating tension behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.

John Terry has been exiled from the starting XI after a poor start, but may be recalled after defensive errors have continued even in his absence. Oscar, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy may return after being left home in England, but Diego Costa misses out his final game to suspension following his controversial time against Arsenal.

Predicted XI's

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Falcao.

Southampton (4-2-2-1-1): Stekelenburg; Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Wanyama, Romeu; Tadić, Davis; Mané; Pellè.

Players to watch

In Diego Costa’s absence, it will fall to Radamel Falcao to lead the Chelsea forward line. Once the most feared forward in Europe after goal-laden spells in the colours of Porto and Atletico Madrid, the Colombian has scored just once in six league games for the Blues.

Koeman will know he has a dangerous weapon in the form of Sadio Mane in his ranks. The Senegalese gave Chelsea a torrid time last season, scoring in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s and winning the penalty in the reverse fixture. Giving the much-maligned Branislav Ivanovic a rough ride could give Saints a real chance of winning in London for the first time since February.

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