Chelsea have some frustration to work out after their abrupt Champions League exit. Southampton might not enjoy this very much.
After Chelea's shocking failure at midweek to advance in the Champions League, Jose Mourinho's side is going to be out looking for blood and vengeance against Southampton. It doesn't matter that Southampton had nothing to do with Chelsea's loss, they just happen to be the poor saps who are in the way at the moment.
Southampton would normally be looking to try to edge close to the top four, having finally won last week after winning just one out of their five previous matches, but this is a Chelsea side with a grudge and a point to prove. If we've learned anything about facing a Mourinho-lead team, it's that they are very tough to play against at times like these.
Key player - Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Too often for Chelsea this year it's been a will-he-or-won't-he game with Hazard. When the young Belgian is "on," Hazard can dominate and take over games on his own, but if he's not, things are a lot harder than they need to be for his team. With Chelsea only having the Premier League left and no other distractions, there's no excuses left for Hazard -- he needs to be on-point and at full drive every match for Chelsea from hereon out if he wants to take that next step to a truly elite, star player.
Key Matchup - Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) vs. Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
When Fabregas plays well, Chelsea tend to perform well on a whole. The Spanish midfielder is the runaway leader in assists in England, but he's also been too easy to lock down at times if his opposite number in midfield is a defensive midfielder with a good work rate -- which is exactly what Schneiderlin happens to be. Even worse for Chelsea, Schneiderlin can use that work rate and his willingness to help the attack to tie Fabregas in knots when Southampton have the ball, which could ultimately help Southampton expose a Chelsea defense that's been awfully shaky of late.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: John Obi Mikel (knee) In doubt: none
Southampton injuries and suspensions
Out: Jay Rodriguez (knee), Emmanuel Mayuka (groin) In doubt: none
Both teams are pretty healthy, with none of the three absentees having played a significant role for their sides this season. Of course, Chelsea and Southampton were hoping that Mikel, Rodriguez, and Mayuka would be more involved this season, but injuries are fickle that way.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), Mun2 (U.S. - Spanish), TSN 1/3/4/5 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra, Fubo TV (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1AqI8y1
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