Chelsea are down to the bare bones in their first-team squad after a succession of injuries over the festive period.

Manager Maurizio Sarri highlighted the issue after the 1-0 win against
Crystal Palace at the weekend stating the Blues are “in trouble.”

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Pedro are both missing due to hamstring injuries. Cesc Fabregas (neck) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back) are both doubts, while Danny Drinkwater is suffering from a knock.

Olivier Giroud had to be substituted 15 minutes from time in the Palace victory due to an ankle injury and will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s game against Southampton.

The Saints will be without Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after the Dane was sent off in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. Michael Obafemi is out of contention due to a muscular problem while Ryan Bertrand is nearing a return after six weeks out with a back problem. The game tomorrow may, however, come too early for the 29-year-old.

The bookmakers have made Chelsea favourites to get the three points with Coral having them 2/7 odds-on. The best price for a draw is 11/2 with Unibet while a Southampton victory is 12/1 at Betfair.

Chelsea’s Predicted XI To Face Southampton:

Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Morata, Hazard

Southampton’s Predicted XI:

McCarthy, Valery, Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard, Targett, Romeu, Lemina, Armstrong, Ings, Redmond

Predicted Score – 2-0 to Chelsea