Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Chelsea

Published on: 29/10/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Southampton vs Chelsea

October 30, 2016 16:00pm - St. Mary`s Stadium

Premier League

Eight-ranked Southampton will look to extend their five-game unbeaten streak when they square up to title contenders Chelsea at St. Marys Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Saints looking strong after slow start

It may have taken Southampton five matches to secure their first Premier League win this season but since then, the South coast side has gone from strength to strength.

Wins over Swansea City, West Ham United and Burnley, and draws against Manchester city and Leicester City have lifted the Saints to eighth place in the table just two points behind sixth-ranked Everton. They are unbeaten in nine on home soil with their last defeat coming against this weekend`s opponents Chelsea back in February.

Claude Puel`s men are currently unbeaten in five and have only lost two games all season. In addition, they have scored at least one goal in their last 14 Premier League home matches. They come into this game on the back of a midweek EFL Cup win over Sunderland (1-0).

Meanwhile, opponents Chelsea are just one point shy of the Premier League summit following their 4-0 demolition of Manchester United last weekend. That result completed a sequence of three-straight league victories for Antonio Conte`s men.

All but one of Chelsea`s league matches this season have produced over 2.5 goals and they have scored two or more in five of their last seven away games. The Blues suffered a blow in midweek when they were dumped out of the EFL Cup by city rivals West Ham United.

Team news

The home side will be hoping that Ryan Bertrand passes a late fitness test, while Jay Rodriguez (concussion), Alex McCarthy (hamstring), Shane Long (Hamstring), Matt Targett (hamstring), Cedric Soares (foot) and Jeremy Pied will all miss out.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without the services of Cesc Fabregas (thigh), Branislav Ivanovic (muscle) and Marco van Ginkel (knee).

Recent form (League):

Southampton: DWDWW

Chelsea: WWWLL

Betting odds and tips

Southampton have a strong record for scoring at home, while Chelsea also hit the target on a regular basis on the road. As a result, the Both Teams to Score bet looks like the best option in what should be a closely-fought contest.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 3/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/10/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/10/2016 13:00:27) but are subject to change.