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Chelsea team news: Predicted Chelsea line up vs Southampton – Eight changes, Hazard return
CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri is expected to ring the changes against Southampton on Sunday (2.15pm) with Eden Hazard set for a return to the starting XI.
Chelsea could make up to eight changes to their starting XI as Maurizio Sarri recalls his first-choice line-up to face Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Blues manager rotated his squad for the Europa League clash against MOL Vidi on Thursday, with an under-strength side edging out 1-0 winners.
Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge but is still expected to drop to the bench after an underwhelming performance.
Olivier Giroud is set to replace the Spaniard, having scored five goals in his last four matches against Saints.
Eden Hazard should return on the left-wing after appearing as a substitute in midweek, while Willian is likely to be preferred to Pedro on the other flank.
The Spanish forward has only just made his comeback from a shoulder injury sustained against PAOK but managed 54 minutes yesterday.
Mateo Kovacic played the whole match against the Hungarian champions and will be called on again alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante in midfield.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his first start of the season against MOL Vidi but should drop to the bench for the trip to Southampton.
Cesc Fabregas is also likely to miss out while Sarri could completely rotate his back four this weekend.
Davide Zappacosta and Emerson Palmieri are likely to make way for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso while centre-back duo David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger should also return.
Andreas Christensen and Gary Cahill will be the men to make way, with the former having made his comeback from illness in the 1-0 win.
Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw last time out against Liverpool, with the Blues yet to lose a match so far this season.