Predicted Chelsea XI v Southampton: Two defenders out, still no Pato, Spaniard over Brazilian again

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Chelsea will look to continue their unbeaten Premier League record under Guus Hiddink in Saturday’s tricky trip to in-form Southampton.

The Saints have won five of their last six games and have not conceded a single goal during that run, climbing to sixth in the standings.

But confidence will be high in the Chelsea camp as well after 10 league games without defeat, and last weekend’s 5-1 FA Cup rout of Manchester City.

Here, CaughtOffside predicts the starting XI that Hiddink will go with at St Mary’s Stadium.

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GK: Thibaut Courtois

Was injured when Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were beaten 3-1 by Southampton at Stamford Bridge in October.

RB: Cesar Azpilicueta

Has been shifted over to his natural position of right-back in Chelsea’s recent defensive reshuffle.

CB: Branislav Ivanovic

The Serbian has been great in his two games filling in for John Terry and Kurt Zouma at centre-back.

CB: Gary Cahill

This run of games could be just what the England international needs ahead of Euro 2016.

LB: Baba Rahman

The summer signing will started three successive games for the first time in his Blues career.

CM: John Obi Mikel

Behind Diego Costa, the veteran midfielder may have been Chelsea’s best player since Hiddink’s arrival.

CM: Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas has certainly benefitted from Mikel’s form and will be key to unlocking Southampton’s outstanding defence.

AMR: Pedro

The former Barcelona forward has been given the nod over Oscar for Chelsea’s last two games and Hiddink may not see a reason to change.

AMC: Willian

Scored Chelsea’s goal in their 3-1 loss to Southampton earlier this season with a trademark free-kick.

AML: Eden Hazard

With a goal and two assists, the Belgian probably had his best game of the campaign against Man City’s kids last weekend.

ST: Diego Costa

Was the last player to score a league goal against Fraser Forster – in March 2015, unbelievably. January recruit Pato is still short of match fitness, ESPN reports.

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More Stories Baba Rahman Branislav Ivanovic Cesar Azpilicueta Cesc Fabregas Diego Costa Eden Hazard Gary Cahill John Obi Mikel Pedro Thibaut Courtois Willian