Nemanja Matic starts as Chelsea face Southampton

Chelsea were disappointingly knocked out of the Champions League by PSG midweek but can open up an eight-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City with a win.

Jose Mourinho, who had a fully fit squad to pick from with John Mikel Obi their only absentee, brought William into the side in place of Ramires.

For Southampton, Toby Alderweireld, who has been out since picking up a hamstring complaint at Manchester United on January 11, returns to the starting XI having been an unused substitute last time out.

Jay Rodriguez and Emmanuel Mayuka remain long term injury absentees.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa. Subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Ramires, Cuadrado, Remy and Drogba.

Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte (c), Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Tadić, Mané, Long. Subs: K. Davis (GK), Yoshida, Gardos, Djuričić, Ward-Prowse, Pellè, Targett.