THE Monday night game brings together two sides with vastly different records this season. What is Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) backing?
Aston Villa v Southampton | Monday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1
I've been a bit cynical about Southampton this season. I've spent most of the campaign trying to take them on at short prices, but each time they keep making me look foolish. I'm now at the point where I'm waving the white flag, sitting back and just applauding them.
There's no doubt they've benefited from a favourable fixture list. The Saints haven't beaten anyone from last season's top seven in the Premier League this season but their faultless resilience has much to admire. It's all well and good having winnable fixtures, but you've got to take the three points when these games come up. Southampton have been doing that week in week out.
Ronald Koeman's team have picked up a staggering 25 points from their opening 11 games. That would have been good enough to be top of the table at the 11-game stage last season, and indeed only seven clubs in the Premier League era can surpass those figures.
They face Aston Villa on Monday night, another side I've been trying to take on most weeks. This time with a lot more success. Paul Lambert's side have taken just one point from a possible 21 and go into this match on the lip of the relegation zone.
Despite the gloom there is a suspicion that things may be improving for the club. They were very unlucky to lose to Tottenham three weeks ago, and last time out got a good draw away at West Ham. I don't expect them to get battered here.
Usually I shudder when I see the odds of Southampton, but on what they've done so far this season, 4/5 with Ladbrokes is entirely fair. I couldn't put anyone off backing that.
Under 2.5 Goals at 4/5 with BetVictor is another massive runner for me too when you consider Aston Villa have scored just five goals this league season while Saints have conceded exactly the same feeble number.
But I'll be a bit ballsy here and go with Southampton to win to nil. I can see a narrow win for the South Coast club with Aston Villa more than likely drawing an eighth blank of the season. That's 9/5 with BetVictor and I'm on.
Best Bet
Aston Villa v Southampton – Southampton to win to nil (9/5 BetVictor)
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