Chelsea FC will welcome Southampton FC to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in what is a big match for both clubs.
Chelsea come into this match off the back of consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Juventus FC which finds them sitting third in the premier league a point behind Liverpool in first, and second in their champions league group.
With the international break rapidly approaching, Chelsea know how important it is that they go into the break with a win and three points especially because they have to face high-flying Brentford FC at the Brentford Community Stadium when the domestic season resumes.
Meanwhile, Southampton will come into the match off the back of a disappointing one-nil home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. It means they find themselves 16th in the table just one point above the relegation places.
Like their opponents, Southampton know that they have to try and get three points before the international break because if they don't and results don't go their way they could be in the relegation zone. In addition they have got to face Leeds United in the first match after the international break who are currently one point behind them.
Team news
Thomas Tuchel has no new injury concerns however Christian Pulisic and Reece James both still look like they will miss out on Saturday, while N'golo Kante will also miss the match after he caught Covid 19 during the week. But Mason Mount is available having recovered from his injury.,
Ralph Hassenhüttlhas no injury concerns and received a boost during the week with Theo Walcott and Stuart Armstrong both back training with the first team meaning they could be in the matchday squad. However loan summer signing Armando Broja is not eligible to face his parent club, but summer signing Tino Livromento will be able to face his parent club.
Chelsea: Mendy, Silva, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Lukaku, Mount, Havertz
Southampton: McCarthy, Livramento, Bendarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Elyounoussi, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong
Players to watch
After blistering start to the season where he seemed to be scoring a goal every match, Romelu Lukaku has recently been finding it very difficult to ball the in the back of the net.
He was unable to find a way to score against City last weekend which meant Chelsea lost, he was then kept very quiet by Leonardo Bonnuci in the champions league on wednesday.
Chelsea will be hoping he returns to his goal scoring ways on Saturday to help them beat Southampton.
With very few summer signings this summer and the departure of Danny Ings, Southampton knew that they needed to find a player that could have a similar impact, that player is Mohamed Elyounoussi.
After a loan in the Scottish premiership last season during which he scored eight goals and got four assists Hassenhüttl decided to give him a chance this season and he had taken it. So far he has scored four goals and got two assists which has meant he is the club's outright top scorer.
Southampton know that if they want to get a win, they will need Elyounoussi to be on form.
Last time out
The last time these two played each other it was an entertaining one, one draw.
Chelsea started the match quickly and got an early chance when Marcos Alonso received the ball from James in the box but he dragged his shot wide of the goal.
Chelsea's next big chance came in the 29th minute, this time it was Antonio Rudiger that went close. Matteo Kovacic did brilliantly in midfield before laying the ball off to Rudiger who's shot from outside the box was saved by Alex McCarthy.
However out of nowhere despite Chelsea dominance Southampton managed to strike first in the 33rd minute. Walcott beat several players on the right hand side of the pitch before threading a through ball to Takumi Minamino who's shot hit the back of the Chelsea net.
It meant Chelsea found themselves one nil down by the time half-time came around.
Chelsea started the second half very brightly and got their reward when they won a penalty after Mason Mount was fouled by a Southampton defender in the box. Having won the penalty Mount took it and scored sending the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Both sides continued to press for a winning goal and Chelsea nearly nicked it at the end. Hakim Ziyech delivered a corner and the ball fell to mount on the edge of the area, but his right-footed shot went high and wide of the goal.
How to watch
Unfortunately, the game is not being shown live in the UK on Saturday,however, highlights will be available at 17:15 on the sky sports app and youtube channel.