Maurizio Sarri has made just one change to the side that beat Crystal Palace last weekend as Chelsea prepare to welcome Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
Alvaro Morata has returned to the starting lineup for the first time in three weeks, replacing Olivier Giroud, who is set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury. The rest of the team remains the same from last weekend, with Ross Barkley retaining his place in midfield.
Interestingly, Mateo Kovacic has been excluded from the matchday squad due to unknown reasons, while the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have recovered from their minor complaints to make the bench for Chelsea.
Team news is in! ?#CHESOU pic.twitter.com/B3SPS8mZag
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 2, 2019
The teams are in! ?
This is how #SaintsFC line-up to face #CFC tonight in the #PL: pic.twitter.com/ClqUDKSYzO
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 2, 2019
