Chelsea's week to go from bad to worse at St Mary's

Chelsea are odds-on for their visit to St Mary's in the FA Cup third round but Southampton are hard to beat at home and Paul Robinson thinks we could be in for an upset.

 

Southampton held Arsenal on Tuesday night meaning they've now lost just twice from their last 10 in front of their own fans. They matched The Gunners in every area of the pitch and in truth they were a touch unlucky not to take all three points.

 

A key reason for the upturn in form for Nigel Adkins' side has been the fact that they've tightened up at the back. After shipping a bucket load of goals at the beginning of the campaign, The Saints have conceded one or less in nine of their last 10 fixtures, home and away.

 

Chelsea fell to a dismal 0-1 defeat to the lowly QPR at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening after Rafa Benitez's rotation backfired. The interim manager dropped Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to the bench and their creativity was badly missed as marko Marin, Oscar and Victor Moses struggled to penetrate the Rangers defence.

 

The Blues had been in good form prior to that defeat; four straight victories and seven from their previous eight in all competitions. The players are beginning to look a touch jaded though, especially Fernando Torres, and while new signing, Demba Ba, is available for this afternoon's match, it could take him a while to integrate into a new side.

 

Chelsea are a strong team and one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but Southampton are in decent form at the moment and it could be a good time to face the Londoners. With home advantage, The Saints have a live chance of taking something from this game, so with Chelsea trading as low as 1.69, I have to make them my lay of the day.

 

Recommended Bet

Lay Southampton v Chelsea @ 1.69

 

Bet HERE

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