Chelsea vs Southampton Preview

Just one Premier League game takes place this midweek with Chelsea taking on Southampton at Stamford Bridge and Bookmakers make Chelsea the 1/4(general) favourites to take all three points. This is not a price I will be rushing to get involved with especially as Chelsea have won just one of their last six Premier League home games. Southampton are unbeaten in their last four league games, drawing three of these and the draw can be backed at 98/17 (pinnacle) while a Southampton victory is as big as 14/1 (bet365/BetVictor). The head to head record between these sides favours Chelsea who are unbeaten in their last seven against the Saints winning the last five. These two sides have yet to meet in the Premier League this season though they did meet recently in the FA Cup where Chelsea ran out comfortable 5-1 visitors.

Those looking for a first goalscorer bet will see the market is headed by Dembe Ba at 3/1 (general) though a word of caution Rafa Benitez is keen on rotation and having started the last game against Stoke it would be no shock to see Ba dropped for Fernando Torres. The Spaniard is 7/2 (general) for the first goal while Juan Mata is 5/1 (BetVictor/BWin/ladbrokes). Frank Lampard is a man in great form netting four in his last five games and is 6/1 (general) to strike first. Rickie Lambert looks a massive price at 14/1 (BWin) to score first or 4/1 (general). Lambert carries the main goal threat for the Saints both in open play and from the penalty spot and he has netted in four of his last five away games. The Blues have kept a clean sheet in just three of their last 11home games.

When these sides met in the FA Cup the game ended 5-1 to Chelsea and a repeat of that scoreline is priced 34/1 (betway). The most popular score in this market is 2-0 Chelsea which is priced at 13/2 (BetVictor) while 3-0 Chelsea is 8/1 (BetVictor). A 1-1 draw is 14/1 (BetVictor) while a Southampton 1-0 victory is 40/1 (BetVictor) as is 2-1 (BetVictor). I think the Saints can score so consider that when making correct score bets.

This also leads me to recommend a bet on both teams to score which is a generous 11/10 (boylesports/ladbrokes). As stated previously Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in just three of their last 11 home games while Southampton have failed to score in just two of their ten away games in the Premier League this season.

This is not the only league game on Wednesday evening as Coventry take on Tranmere in League One. After a great run in the league Coventry have suffered back-to-back defeats going down to shock losses at home to Shrewsbury and away to Carlisle. After losing loan signing David McGoldrick goals have been hard to come by and they have fired blanks in three of their last four in all competitions. Coral go 5/4 a home victory here and that does not offer much value. Tranmere at 5/2 (bet365) might appeal to some as they sit top of the league while the draw is available at 47/18 (pinnacle). The bet here is to take David Amoo to score like he did in his Tranmere debut at the weekend. The 12/1 (bet365) are offering on him to score first is great value as is the 4/1 (Skybet/william hill) on him to score at anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Both teams to score Chelsea v Southampton, 11/10 (boylesports/ladbrokes)
SILVER: Rickie Lambert to score v Chelsea, first 14/1 (BWin), anytime 4/1 (general)
BRONZE: David Amoo to score v Coventry, first 12/1 (bet365), anytime 4/1 (Skybet/william hill)

Go To bet365

#Ad

16/01/2013     © Frixo 2024