Hello and welcome to Eurosport's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Chelsea. This is Ryan Bailey (@ryanjaybailey) taking you through all the action from St Mary’s. Kick off is 12.30, team news to follow shortly.

Hjobjerg draws a foul from Kante on the halfway line by cleverly lifting the ball away from the Chelsea man's challenge.

Chelsea have had 70% possession thus far.

This is not yet a pacey affair.

Morata breaks into the box and lays it to Hazard on his left, but the Belgian's shot is blocked!

Tadic charges into the box from the left, but stumbles as he tries to get the ball in the box, There's no one there to receive it, anyway.

At this stage three years ago, Southampton were sixth.

They could go from Europe to the Championship within the space of 18 months.

Soares swings in a cross and Ward-Prowse is in the box, but the Blues back three have it covered.

St Mary's sounds noisy today as the hosts begib their six-game campaign to remain in the top flight.

Romeu earns a round of applause for removing the ball from Marcos Alonso's possession.

Cahill tries to find WIllian along the floor just outside the centre circle, but Hjobjerg intercepts brilliantly.

Azpilicueta pumps a long ball to Moarat on the right channel, but the forward is correctly called up for handball.

Referee Mike Dean pips his whistle and Alvaro Morata takes the first touch!

A glimmer of hope for the hosts: Chelsea have managed only 12 points from 11 games in 2018, which is the fifth-worst record in the Premier League (only Huddersfield, Stoke, West Brom and, er, Southampton are worse).

Kick-off is in 10 minutes.

It's a pleasant 12C in the sunshine at St Mary's - Mark Hughes will be hoping to clear the *metaphorical* storm clouds around his side today with an unlikely victory.

Saints are handing a Premier League debut to Jan Bednarek, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Thursday.

The Polish centre-back, in for the suspended Jack Stephens, joined the club from Lech Posnan on a five-year deal last summer.

Southampton are without a win in their last eight home matches - their longest run in Premier League history - and they have failed to register a result against the 'big six' in their last 22 encounters (D7, L15).

Mark Hughes: "I sense along with a rise in confidence, there's a bit of frustration after [the loss to] Arsenal which can only be good for us. The players want to put that right against Chelsea."

Conte: "Southampton have great quality in their squad. It's a great surprise to see them in this position.

"I consider them a squad with great quality and talented players. For this reason, we must pay great attention because it won't be easy playing against them."

Southampton have lost their last four clashes with Chelsea, managing only one win in their last nine.

Charlie Austin starts on the bench today...

Antonio Conte has made two changes to the team that drew with West Ham, with Davide Zappacosta and Andreas Christensen coming in gor Rudiger and Moses.

However, if the Italian fails to get a result against a struggling Southampton side, will his tenure in South London be cut dramatically short?

It's a crucial lunchtime clash for both team's on the south coast today. The hosts, who are without a win at St Mary's since November, are three points below safety in the relegation zone.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are 10 points shy of a top-four finish with just 18 points left on the table.

SOUTHAMPTON: McCarthy, Cédric, Bednarek, Hoedt, Yoshida, Bertrand (c), Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Tadić, Højbjerg, Long. Subs: Forster, McQueen, Lemina, Boufal, Sims, Austin, Gabbiadini. /// CHELSEA: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Morata, Hazard. Subs: Caballero, Moses, Emerson, Bakayoko, Barkley, Pedro, Giroud.