CHELSEA return to Premier League action desperate for a win against relegation-battling Southampton.
The big-spending Blues can't buy a win at the moment having gone four consecutive matches without victory – including a 1-0 Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund.
However, Southampton is a good opportunity for Graham Potter's men to return to winning ways as the Saints currently sit rock-bottom of the table.
- Kick-off: 3pm UK
- TV channel: This game is NOT televised in the UK
- Chelsea XI: Kepa; Chilwell, Badiashile, Koulibaly, Azpilicueta; Kovacic, Enzo; Madueke, Felix, Mount; Fofana.
- Southampton XI: Bazunu; Armstrong, Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud; Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi; Sulemana, Onuachu
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- Simon Rice
Credit: Reuters A big day for David Fofana, who will be hoping to grab his first Chelsea goal and end the Blues' woes in front of goal.
- Simon Rice
On the bench today
Chelsea: Bettinelli, Chalobah, W. Fofana, Hall, Gallagher, Zakaria, Mudryk, Sterling, Havertz
Southampton: Caballero, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Diallo, Alcaraz, Djenepo, Walcott, Mara, A Armstrong
- Simon Rice
15 mins remaining
Not long now until we get down to business here in SW6.
The Chelsea forwards have been going through a shooting drill for the last five minutes and… it didn't make for the best of viewing.
As if to underline the Blues' recent struggles in front of goal, the likes of Mount, Fernandez, Fofana, Felix, Madueke and Kovacic scored about five from 20 attempts from just ten yards away.
- Simon Rice
- Simon Rice
Warm Ups
As news of Arsenal's late winner filters around the stadium – and results in some choice language near our seats, especially with Jorginho having a big hand in the goal – the Chelsea and Southampton players are being put through their paces.
- Simon Rice
- Simon Rice
Havertz Dropped
It's an extremely interesting team selection by Graham Potter, who has made wholesale changes to the side that lost to Borussia Dortmund in midweek after missing a host of chances.
Only five players – Kepa, Koulibaly, Chilwell, Enzo and Felix keep their places from that side.
Most surprisingly, perhaps, is the news that misfiring forward Kai Havertz has been dropped in favour of David Fofana, who makes his first start since his January move from Molde.
It's a massive day for the 20-year-old striker, who will be expected to reverse the fortunes of a side that has scored just four goals in nine matches in 2023.
- Simon Rice
Southampton XI vs Chelsea
Bazunu, Maitlaind-Niles, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Perraud, Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi, Armstrong, Kamaldeen, Onuachu
- Simon Rice
Chelsea XI vs Southampton
Kepa; Azpilicueta, Koulibaly, Badiashile, Chilwell; Enzo, Kovacic; Madueke, Felix, Mount; Fofana
- Simon Rice
Hello one and all
We're live from Stamford Bridge for a massive game between Chelsea and Southampton.
The home side have won just two games in 13 since the start of November, but welcome a managerless Saints side who are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
Will this be the day that the Blues can end their scoring woes and find a bit of form?
Graham Potter will certainly hope so.
Team news on the way!
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