London : Chelsea will face a tough test in the first match of 2014 . On the day Wednesday, January 1, 2014 , the Blues will come to St Mary's Southampton headquarters . Three points of a fixed price for Chelsea to keep on track champions . Currently Chelsea is in the top three of the Premier League . The club owned by Roman Abramovich two points behind Arsenal standings .

Not easy to beat Southampton . Adam Lallana and his colleagues was the middle of the graph decreases at the end of 2013 , but Chelsea had a bad experience the last time to the headquarters Soton . Last season John Terry and his friends must recognize the benefits of Southampon 1-2 .

Terry has warned his team-mates to be wary if you do not want to face Soton bitter pill again experienced last season . " It will be a difficult game because they are very good at home , " said Terry as published in the official website of the Premier League . Vigilance Terry is not without reason . Soton is often troublesome big teams this season . Mauricio Pochettino forces almost defeated Chelsea in the first meeting this season . Soton ahead through Jay Rodriguez goal before finally turning Chelsea won 3-1 .

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was also troubled by the absence of several players . Defender David Luiz is suspended . Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard and defender Branislav Ivanovic was injury plagued . Fortunately Mourinho has a good capital for moral Chelsea are rising after closing the year 2013 with an important 2-1 victory over Liverpool . Had left earlier with a goal by Martin Skrtel fast , turning Chelsea won through the action of Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o .

Hazard and Eto'o will again be a mainstay of Mourinho's Chelsea to erase the nightmare of last season . Chelsea little benefit from the fact Soton not won at home since November 9 when they beat Hull City 4-1 .

The coach Mauricio Pochettino Soton can not play some important players such as Artur Boruc , Victor Wanyama and Guly do Prado . Daniel Osvaldo is still doubtful . Seeing the declining performance lately Southampton , Chelsea chances in 2014 could start with a narrow victory .

Lineups Southampton vs Chelsea:

Southampton : Davis ; Clyne , Shaw , Fonte , Lovren ; Schneiderlin , Rodriguez , Ward - Prowse , S.Davis , Lallana ; Lambert
Chelsea : Cech ; Cole , Azpilicueta , Cahill , Terry ; Mikel , Hazard , Ramires , Oscar , Willian ; Eto'o