Southampton v Chelsea Betting Preview
This FA Cup third round clash got a bit more interesting after the Blues were toppled at home by QPR in the Premier League during the week. This suddenly becomes a trickier match for them, especially after Southampton battled and deservedly took a point off Arsenal at St Marys on the weekend. Chelsea’s defeat at QPR was blamed on tiredness with Rafa Benitez changing his starting line up. Which Chelsea will turn up on the south coast?
Southampton v Chelsea Betting Odds at online bookmaker SkyBet
Chelsea 4/7, Draw 3/1, Southampton 9/2
Southampton v Chelsea Recommended Bet:
The Saints go in as underdogs for this one, but this could be the type of match where they are able to throw forth a really spirited effort with nothing really to lose. Of course though, they will probably be more focused on Premier League survival. Nigel Adkins’ men actually aren’t in that bad form, unbeaten in their last three league matches. The Saints have picked up three draws in a row, two of them away from home and this little run of form has seen them climb out of the relegation zone. The Saints have lost just one of their last six and while their improved defence has seen them lose just one of their last six in the top flight at St Marys. So there could be plenty of life in this tie. The Saints can cause an offensive threat themselves, but it has died down to some extent since they tightened up at the back. Only one of their last seven games have they scored more than one goal. But one goal was all it took for QPR to knock off Chelsea, so who knows. The Saints have drawn one and lost three of the last four matches when they have hosted Chelsea, and overall they have not beaten the Blues in the last six encounters in total. In a way you would expect the Saints to have a real go, but will Adkins hold back players for the Premier League?
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Can the FA Cup holders respond from a big set back to their PRemier League title hopes? Chelsea had a run of good form snapped by QPR at Stamford Bridge, in a shock result which saw them lose 1-0. They looked a bit off colour, unable to break down a packed defence, resulting in them shooting from distance after dominating possession. It will be interesting to see how Rafa Benitez handles team selection for this one after resting the likes of Edin Hazard and Juan Mata for the start of the QPR match. The Blues are looking close to signing Demba Ba from Newcastle, which will give Fernando Torres some competition. The Blues are still in good form, winning four of their last five matches now, keeping two clean sheets in that run. If they are a little nervy at the back, they won’t be helped by the absence of Petr Cech with a groin problem. However, their away form in the Premier League hasn’t been bad, winning six, drawing two and losing two so that is an indication that they still have a lot to offer. it will all be about mentality now for Chelsea in this one. Will they be up for the fight? A strong start would settle them, and they have scored first in 12 of their 20 EPL matches this season (54% of all goals coming in the first half of games). The Blues have the better quality and obviously more of an edge when it comes down to it. They have the quality in their ranks to negotiate games like this, team selection and confidence is going to be the issues for the visitors. One would assume Juan Mata gets back into the starting line up and he is real value at 5/1 in the First Goalscorer market with online bookmaker SkyBet
Brighton v Newcastle Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions
Form
Southampton LWLDDD, Chelsea LWWWWL
Stat Attack
Chelsea are unbeaten in the last six matches against Southampton
Southampton haven’t won any of the last four home games against Chelsea
The Saints are on a three game drawing streak
The last time they met in the FA Cup the Saints won 3-1 at home (1980/81 season)
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