Prediction and odds for the game: Southampton (4/1) vs Chelsea (7/10)
We are backing the away win
When: Saturday, 20th February 2021, Kick-off 12:30
Where: St Marys Stadium
In the Premier League’s early kick-off on Saturday, Chelsea will look to continue their impressive start under Thomas Tuchel, as the Blues visit the south coast to face Southampton.
Southampton
The Saints recent form has been truly woeful, as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team are currently on a six-game losing run in the English top-flight. In fact, the team from the south coast have also won just one of their last 11 matches.
In any other season, they may have been looking over their shoulder nervously at the relegation zone on their current run. However, despite their poor recent form, Southampton are still ten points clear of the bottom three, with a game in hand on 18th place Fulham.
The Saints home form has been particularly concerning, as they have lost four of their last six league games at St Marys while recording just one victory. A lack of goals on home soil of late has made things worse for the south coast outfit, as they have scored just three goals in their last six home matches in the Premier League.
To make matters worse, Southampton also have a poor recent record against Chelsea, winning just one of the last eight meetings between the two teams.
Chelsea
The Blues have looked a far stronger team since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the team’s head coach. The visitors have played six games under the former PSG boss in all competitions, winning five and drawing once. A 2-0 win over Newcastle last time out was the Blues five straight win in all competitions and their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League.
The recent good run of form under Tuchel has been enough to lift the visitors back into the Champions League spots, in what is becoming an increasingly interesting race for the top-four this season. However, they are now only above London rivals West Ham courtesy of superior goal difference. The Blues know there is no room for complacency in the top-four race.
Chelsea have won their last two away games in the Premier League. However, before the two-game mini-run, the Blues had suffered defeat in four of their previous five away games in the English top-flight. The two recent away wins are maybe indicative of the difference that Tuchel has made since joining the club from south west London.
Conclusion
To say these two teams have suffered contrasting fortunes of late would be a big understatement. The Saints form stinks and Chelsea are on a high from a good start by their new coach.
We can’t see anything other than a Chelsea win in this clash, as they just have such momentum. The Saints have pulled off surprises against big teams in the recent past but on current form, it’s hard to see a repeat on Saturday. However, we believe the game will be relatively low-scoring, which is why we are also backing under 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing the away win at odds of 7/10 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 10/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Will Chelsea’s good form continue on the south coast this weekend?
