Match preview
Ronald Koeman has vowed that Southampton will go toe-to-toe with Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
The Dutchman's side will attempt to become only the second team to beat Chelsea this season when they welcome the London club to St Mary's Stadium.
Newcastle United stand alone as the sole team to have overcome Chelsea in any competition this term, with Jose Mourinho's men remaining on course for an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies.
Chelsea have responded to their surprise 2-1 reverse at St James' Park at the beginning of the month in the manner of champions by reeling off five straight wins.
The latest of those victories came in a dominant 2-0 success over high-flying West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, a result that ensured they remain three points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the table.
But Southampton manager Koeman has urged Southampton to be brave and attack their visitors.
"I am a coach that always tries to win," he explained after Friday's 3-1 success at Crystal Palace.
"They have fantastic football players but it's 11 against 11 and we will try to do everything to win that game. We know it will be very difficult but it isn't impossible.
"What we like to do is play football and to play attractive, offensive football and to go for it.
"But that is for every game, not just when our opponent is Chelsea or Manchester City. We will go for it. That's football and if you don't go for it, stay at home."
Southampton's win at Selhurst Park saw Koeman's side show some of the verve and swagger that lifted them as high as second in the table earlier in the season.
A four-match losing run in the Barclays Premier League was broken in style with a convincing 3-0 win over Everton last week, and Koeman - who will be without Ryan Bertrand on Sunday as he cannot play against his parent club - is thrilled with how his side bounced back to return to the top four.
"We are dreaming a little bit because we are in a terrific position in the league now," he added.
"We had a little bit of a difficult time after two defeats. We're back now after two games in a row and that's important."
Meanwhile, Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill - an ever-present in the BPL this season - expects a tough match on the south coast, but feels confident of picking up yet another victory.
"It is a different test but we are in good form and are looking forward to the next game, even though it is a busy time," he toldchelseafc.com.
Southampton (from): K Davis, Forster, Gazzaniga, Alderweireld, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Targett, Yoshida, Cork, S Davis, Isgrove, Mane, McQueen, Reed, Schneiderlin, Tadic, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Gallagher, Long, Mayuka, Pelle.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Courtois, Schwarzer, Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Salah, Willian, Costa, Drogba, Remy, Schurrle, Solanke.
Match Appointments
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, D Cann Fourth Official: A D'Urso
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, D Cann Fourth Official: A D'Urso
Match Facts
Southampton have won just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League matches against Chelsea (W1 D3 L6).
The Blues have scored in each of their last nine league trips to Southampton, netting more than once six times in this run.
Southampton have kept six clean sheets in the last nine BPL appearances at St Mary's.
Graziano Pelle has scored seven goals in his last eight home matches in the top flight.
Southampton have won just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League matches against Chelsea (W1 D3 L6).
The Blues have scored in each of their last nine league trips to Southampton, netting more than once six times in this run.
Southampton have kept six clean sheets in the last nine BPL appearances at St Mary's.
Graziano Pelle has scored seven goals in his last eight home matches in the top flight.
Current form
| Last six matches | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 1 - 3 v Crystal Palace (A) | 26 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 3 - 0 v Everton (H) | 20 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Burnley (A) | 13 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 2 v Man Utd (H) | 08 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Arsenal (A) | 03 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 0 - 3 v Man City (H) | 30 Nov 2014 |
| Last win/defeat | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 1 - 3 v Crystal Palace (A) | 26 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Burnley (A) | 13 Dec 2014 |
Current form
| Last six matches | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 2 - 0 v West Ham (H) | 26 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 0 - 2 v Stoke (A) | 22 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 2 - 0 v Hull (H) | 13 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 2 - 1 v Newcastle (A) | 06 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 3 - 0 v Spurs (H) | 03 Dec 2014 |
DRAWN
| 0 - 0 v Sunderland (A) | 29 Nov 2014 |
| Last win/defeat | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 2 - 0 v West Ham (H) | 26 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 2 - 1 v Newcastle (A) | 06 Dec 2014 |
Last corresponding meeting
Wed 01 Jan 2014 | St. Mary's Stadium | Attendance: 31,271
Southampton0 - 3Chelsea
- Fernando Torres (60)
- Willian (71)
- Oscar (82)
Fixture change history
| Changed from | To | Reason for change |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 28 Dec 2014 12:00 | Sun 28 Dec 2014 11:05 | Live broadcasting on Sky Sports |
Related news
Match preview
Ronald Koeman has vowed that Southampton will go toe-to-toe with Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
The Dutchman's side will attempt to become only the second team to beat Chelsea this season when they welcome the London club to St Mary's Stadium.
Newcastle United stand alone as the sole team to have overcome Chelsea in any competition this term, with Jose Mourinho's men remaining on course for an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies.
Chelsea have responded to their surprise 2-1 reverse at St James' Park at the beginning of the month in the manner of champions by reeling off five straight wins.
The latest of those victories came in a dominant 2-0 success over high-flying West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, a result that ensured they remain three points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the table.
But Southampton manager Koeman has urged Southampton to be brave and attack their visitors.
"I am a coach that always tries to win," he explained after Friday's 3-1 success at Crystal Palace.
"They have fantastic football players but it's 11 against 11 and we will try to do everything to win that game. We know it will be very difficult but it isn't impossible.
"What we like to do is play football and to play attractive, offensive football and to go for it.
"But that is for every game, not just when our opponent is Chelsea or Manchester City. We will go for it. That's football and if you don't go for it, stay at home."
Southampton's win at Selhurst Park saw Koeman's side show some of the verve and swagger that lifted them as high as second in the table earlier in the season.
A four-match losing run in the Barclays Premier League was broken in style with a convincing 3-0 win over Everton last week, and Koeman - who will be without Ryan Bertrand on Sunday as he cannot play against his parent club - is thrilled with how his side bounced back to return to the top four.
"We are dreaming a little bit because we are in a terrific position in the league now," he added.
"We had a little bit of a difficult time after two defeats. We're back now after two games in a row and that's important."
Meanwhile, Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill - an ever-present in the BPL this season - expects a tough match on the south coast, but feels confident of picking up yet another victory.
"It is a different test but we are in good form and are looking forward to the next game, even though it is a busy time," he toldchelseafc.com.
Southampton (from): K Davis, Forster, Gazzaniga, Alderweireld, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Targett, Yoshida, Cork, S Davis, Isgrove, Mane, McQueen, Reed, Schneiderlin, Tadic, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Gallagher, Long, Mayuka, Pelle.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Courtois, Schwarzer, Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Salah, Willian, Costa, Drogba, Remy, Schurrle, Solanke.
Match Appointments
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, D Cann Fourth Official: A D'Urso
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: G Beswick, D Cann Fourth Official: A D'Urso
Match Facts
Southampton have won just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League matches against Chelsea (W1 D3 L6).
The Blues have scored in each of their last nine league trips to Southampton, netting more than once six times in this run.
Southampton have kept six clean sheets in the last nine BPL appearances at St Mary's.
Graziano Pelle has scored seven goals in his last eight home matches in the top flight.
Southampton have won just one of the last 10 Barclays Premier League matches against Chelsea (W1 D3 L6).
The Blues have scored in each of their last nine league trips to Southampton, netting more than once six times in this run.
Southampton have kept six clean sheets in the last nine BPL appearances at St Mary's.
Graziano Pelle has scored seven goals in his last eight home matches in the top flight.
Current form
| Last six matches | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 1 - 3 v Crystal Palace (A) | 26 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 3 - 0 v Everton (H) | 20 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Burnley (A) | 13 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 2 v Man Utd (H) | 08 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Arsenal (A) | 03 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 0 - 3 v Man City (H) | 30 Nov 2014 |
| Last win/defeat | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 1 - 3 v Crystal Palace (A) | 26 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 1 - 0 v Burnley (A) | 13 Dec 2014 |
Current form
| Last six matches | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 2 - 0 v West Ham (H) | 26 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 0 - 2 v Stoke (A) | 22 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 2 - 0 v Hull (H) | 13 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 2 - 1 v Newcastle (A) | 06 Dec 2014 |
WON
| 3 - 0 v Spurs (H) | 03 Dec 2014 |
DRAWN
| 0 - 0 v Sunderland (A) | 29 Nov 2014 |
| Last win/defeat | ||
|---|---|---|
WON
| 2 - 0 v West Ham (H) | 26 Dec 2014 |
LOST
| 2 - 1 v Newcastle (A) | 06 Dec 2014 |
Last corresponding meeting
Wed 01 Jan 2014 | St. Mary's Stadium | Attendance: 31,271
Southampton0 - 3Chelsea
- Fernando Torres (60)
- Willian (71)
- Oscar (82)
Fixture change history
| Changed from | To | Reason for change |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 28 Dec 2014 12:00 | Sun 28 Dec 2014 11:05 | Live broadcasting on Sky Sports |
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