SOUTHAMPTON VS CHELSEA: PREVIEW

The Saints host Chelsea at St. Mary's on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways after a winless three games in the Premier League and only collecting one point from an available nine.

The Blues too will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after two consecutive draws against West Ham and Liverpool.

Chelsea have picked up only two points from an available six in their last two games in the Premier League.

They will also be looking to keep their unbeaten start to the Premier League season going.

Chelsea remain the only English team that are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season.

VIEW FROM HOME DUGOUT

Southampton boss Mark Hughes has insisted his team has prepared a lot on the training ground for the challenge of Chelsea.

“It’s important to have more than one string to your bow," Hughes said. "We can revert back to 4-4-2 or any other formation because we’ve done that work on the training ground.

"We’ve done the repetitions. It’s not as if we turn up to games and say ‘right, we’re going to play three at the back today or three in midfield’.

"We’re not going in cold. We’ve always done the work going into a game. They should be very adept to it and it shouldn’t cause them too many problems [if we have to make a change]."

Hughes was also very complimentary of this weekend's opposition and believes they will "always" be a contender for the league title.

"I think Chelsea will always be a contender," Hughes added. "You see the quality of their squad, big chances last night in their team, but you look at who they're bringing in and it's still high quality.

"The strength and depth they've got is comparable to all the other top teams. They will go close.

"They've got a new manager and it seems when Chelsea change management then that initial season usually seems to be the one that they're very strong in which is the way they go about their business.

"They chop and change coaches, managers and it doesn't seem to affect their ability to win trophies. I feel that they will have a strong season this year."

VIEW FROM THE AWAY DUGOUT

Maurizio Sarri didn't conduct a pre-match press conference this week, due to Europa League commitments.

TEAM NEWS

Hughes has confirmed that Shane Long and Mohamed Elyounoussi are back in contention for the game this weekend.

Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns and have their full squad for this game on Sunday.

Antonio Rüdiger and Pedro have returned from their respected injuries and are in contention to start the game.

STATS

Southampton's last five games in the Premier League: L/W/D/L/L

Chelsea's last five games in the Premier League: W/W/W/D/D

HEAD TO HEAD

In total, these two teams have met 100 times in all competitions, with Southampton winning 28 games, and Chelsea winning 44 games, with 28 draws between the pair.

The fixture last season... (Getty Images)

BETTING ODDS/PREDICTION

Bet 365 make Chelsea slight favourites to win this game at 8/13. A Southampton win is being priced at 5/1. A draw between these 2 teams is being priced at 31/10.

My prediction for this game is a 1-2 tight Chelsea win.

Southampton will make it difficult for Chelsea on Sunday, but the quality of Chelsea and especially Eden Hazard will just be enough to get Sarri's Chelsea the three points.