Conte seemed very annoyed at Fabregas's advice to Hazard that he should be more "selfish" in the penalty box. As such, I don't think Fabregas will start tonight although I do see his point. Hazard has been doing his best to set up Costa for tap ins, but Costa has let him down.

Is very simple, fail to win today and Spurs will go top next week as they will play before we face boro in the next but 1 set of fixtures. You can be sure the gap will be reduced tomorrow if we drop points today as they will play the Palace reserves tomorrow. 

Sampton are due a womping.

Let's be obliging and provide it. 

3-1 (because we still can't keep a clean sheet) 

Courtois 

Dave SSB Ake 

Moses Fabregas Kante Alonso 

Willian Costa Hazard 

Dont know why but i always fear the worst before every game, cmon chelsea,a fast start and put it to bed early

Will Diego return to his scoring ways today? Or have we seen the last Diego goals for the season? 

I think the supporters deserve a comfortable win after the last few matches where we have literally got to the edge of a brain aneurysm, 3-0 win which is settled in the first half would be nice 

We struggle against teams with a duo of strong, powerful midfielders.

Thankfully, I think Southampton lack in that area.  They have Romeu back, which will help them, but they don't have a pair.  Some talent in the attacking areas, but not as talented as us. We should win comfortably.  If Cahill is fit, I'm not sure Ake can squeeze in.  Very hard to change any in the back three regardless of his strong showing on Saturday.

Hope the pitch holds up for the big game tomorrow 

Read somewhere earlier that this is our longest run without a cleansheet in about 20 years.

Got a negative feeling for this one. A huge win over a strong rival, saints having little to play for, should mean 3 points for us right? We never seem to make things easy on ourselves and the Palace defeat is still too fresh. Fearing a tired display from us and them having the energy of a 10 day break, chomping at the bit to erase the memory of city battering them. 

Our inability to clean sheet and Diego not being able to score have me concerned. 

I like this line up.  This is a winning line up!  Ake keeps his place and deservedly so.  Cesc and Willian come in.  I'm loving this. Come on Chelsea!! 

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Will Diego return to his scoring ways today? Or have we seen the last Diego goals for the season? 

He is knee-deep in chicken chow-mein. Don't expect a thing from him for the rest of the season. 

Another screamer from Matic is more likely.  

2 minutes ago, dhidza said:

I like this line up.  This is a winning line up!  Ake keeps his place and deservedly so.  Cesc and Willian come in.  I'm loving this. Come on Chelsea!! 

Really!? Can't find line up!

2 minutes ago, Blueblur said:

He is knee-deep in chicken chow-mein. Don't expect a thing from him for the rest of the season. 

Another screamer from Matic is more likely.  

 

1 minute ago, dhidza said:

 

Not been updated yet :)

Oh Diego how I hope you prove me wrong. Be nice to go through a match thread without pages of how useless you are now. 

Win this and put the pressure on Spurs. Come on Chelsea! 

Team to face Southampton: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Fabregas, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CFC

Tonight's subs: Begovic, Ake, Terry, Chalobah, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi. 

Edited April 25, 20179 yr by Blueblur

Love that team.

We haven't got a great record against Southampton. We lost this fixture 3-1 last season but overall our record isn't that good. Add to that being unable to keep a clean sheet and it all makes for a tough match. They will set up to defend and hit us on the break. An early goal would be good to open them up. Another massive game. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

5 minutes ago, JMaher94 said:

Not been updated yet :)

3-5-2 is what we play!! 

 

I think Willian deserved to start this but maybe he wants to keep him fresh for Everton away

Edited April 25, 20179 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

Matic is this years Ivanovic, doesn't matter how sh*te he is, he'll play.

No Pedro surprises me, aside from Hazard I don't see much killer instinct. Anyway we're all master tacticians before the match...c'mon Chels!

1 minute ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Matic is this years Ivanovic, doesn't matter how sh*te he is, he'll play.

He was also last years Ivanovic too, since he was even worse then.

Also, 3-5-2 against Southampton? Didn't this tactic backfire against Crystal Palace?

We need to win this badly. Am a little worried about a comedown after that smash-and-grab Wembley win.