SOUTHAMPTON host Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League match-up. James Cantrill (@JimmyThePunt) shares his thoughts on the fixture.
Southampton vs Chelsea | Saturday 20th February 2021, 12:30 | BT Sport
Saturday’s Premier League action commences at St Mary’s as Southampton welcome Chelsea to the south coast for the 12:30 kick-off.
The hosts will be looking to salvage something from this game having lost their last six on the spin, a dismal run that has seen them slump to 13th in the proceedings. However, with Kyle Walker-Peters ruled out with an injury, a victory seems unlikely here and the bookies clearly don’t fancy them at odds of 4/1. Interestingly though, they have won 37% of their games when priced accordingly.
Meanwhile the visitors are in fine fettle. They have not tasted defeat under Touchel’s reign and have taken maximum points from their last four league games. All of their last five victory’s have come in games featuring three or less goals as the blues are yet to hit the back of the net more than twice in 90 minutes under their new supremo.
I think Saturday's fixture will follow suit which is why I like Bet365’s price of 6/4 for Chelsea to win and the game to feature under four goals.
Looking at this from a tactical point of view, I don’t think Southampton’s high press will do them any favours in this fixture as Chelsea have the pace to punish them if the Saints leave space in behind.
At 11/5 to score anytime I really like the look of Timo Werner. He bagged a brace in the reverse fixture and was recently – finally – back amongst the goals. With everyone in the Chelsea camp willing him to succeed and a compatriot at the helm his confidence seems to be creeping back.
This, combined with his pace and Southampton’s high line, is a recipe for goals and his price to score anytime is simply too big to turn down. I also would not want to put anyone off backing him to score a brace at 13/1 with William Hill.
Best Bets
Southampton vs Chelsea – Chelsea to Win and Under 4 Goals (6/4 Bet365)
Southampton vs Chelsea – Timo Werner Anytime Goalscorer (11/5 Sky Bet)
