Southampton to make life tough for Chelsea (and please Arsenal)

There’s one set of results that will suit leaders Arsenal at the moment. Draws all round.

Arsenal sit six points clear at the top of the table and the early kick off between Spurs and Man U finishing an entertaining draw will suit the Gunners just fine.

Chelsea get their chance to try and narrow the gap in their 4.10pm game against Southampton and simultaneously Man City are at home to Swansea.

Two home bankers ??? I’m not so sure. Interesting to see the Star Sports (our sister company) market movers today and note that there was plenty of interest in Southampton getting ‘something’ out of this game.

It’s easy to see why punters are taking this view. They are in great form, strong defensively and aren’t afraid of the big teams as their 1-0 win at Anfield and a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this season testify.

It’s a match-up that usually provides plenty of goal action:

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Mar 2013 Premier Southampton 2-1 Chelsea
Jan 2013 Premier Chelsea 2-2 Southampton
Jan 2013 FA Cup Southampton 1-5 Chelsea
Apr 2005 Premiership Southampton 1-3 Chelsea
Aug 2004 Premiership Chelsea 2-1 Southampton
May 2004 Premiership Chelsea 4-0 Southampton
Nov 2003 Premiership Southampton 0-1 Chelsea
Dec 2002 Premiership Chelsea 0-0 Southampton
Aug 2002 Premiership Southampton 1-1 Chelsea
Jan 2002 Premiership Chelsea 2-4 Southampton

It’s a big match for Southampton today. Ordinarily it wouldn’t be a match they would expect to win but such are the high standards set by the south coast side this season they will want to take this to maintain their pre-Christmas form and not see things start to fizzle out.

Chelsea were poor midweek in their 1-0 defeat to Basel although do progress in the Champions League but based on that performance when they didn’t get a single shot on target you wouldn’t be rushing to back them at odds-on today.

It’s a perfect spread bet for me as I fancy the draw but get a goal for free on the Star Spreads Chelsea / Southampton line.

ADVICE

SELL CHELSEA / SOUTHAMPTON at around 1.

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.