Chelsea will host Southampton at the Stamford Bridge on 16 January, 2013 at 1945 GMT. Southampton will have a chance to avenge the heavy loss they suffered at the hands of Chelsea in the FA cup earlier this month.
The Saints are definitely on the rise in form as they have gone four games unbeaten in the Premier League. Chelsea is also in fine form, in front of goal they have scored eight goals in their last four games and conceded only four goals.
Rafael Benitez's Chelsea has not had a good home record at Stamford Bridge winning just two out of six games in the English Premier League and managing not to score any in the last two games at home.
Frank Lampard a true living legend for the Blues he has scored seven goals in eight premier leagues games that he has started this season. On the other hand, Rickie Lambert has netted the ball three times in his last four appearances.
Chelsea will be looking to win this game and open up a four point gap between themselves and Tottenham in fourth spot and reducing the gap between them and Manchester City to just five points.
Southampton will be looking to create a five point gap between themselves and the dreaded relegation zone and hence they will go all guns blazing and try to beat Chelsea who has not been playing well at home over the last couple of weeks.
Rickie Lambert will be the one to watch as he has already raked in nine goals and has assisted on four occasions. Lambert and Jason Puncheon together can create loads of problems for the Chelsea back four.
Yossi Benayoun and Oriel Romeu will both miss this game, while John Terry will probably get a starting spot.
Jose Fonte was stretchered off earlier in the month and hence will be the only Saint missing out on this game and will watch from the sidelines along with Adam Lallana.
Benitez will need to win this game to win the fans over as he has not been entirely accepted by all the Chelsea fans.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Southampton.