Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is sweating over the fitness of captain Cesar Azpilicueta ahead of Boxing Day’s game against Southampton. The Spaniard picked up a thigh injury in the 2-0 win against Tottenham at the weekend and remains a doubt for Thursday.

The Blues don’t have many other injury concerns, though, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) and Marco van Ginkel (knee) the only other players on the sidelines. Mateo Kovacic won’t feature after picking up a suspension for five yellow cards.

Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Southampton:

Kepa, James, Rudiger, Tomori, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Willian, Abraham, Pulisic

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl will be looking to build on the club’ 3-1 win over Aston Villa last time out. The Saints are without Moussa Djenepo who has picked up a hamstring injury.

Yan Valery will also be missing with the right-back out until the New Year, while Kevin Danso is a minor doubt due to illness.

Southampton’s Predicted XI:

McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Ings, Long

The bookies have Chelsea as the red hot favourites to the get the three points with Coral pricing them at 4/11. A draw is 9/2 with Betfred while a Southampton victory is 8/1 at BetVictor.

Predicted Score – 2-1 to Chelsea