Bet of the day: Pelle to pounce last for Southampton
Holly Thackeray | October 28, 2015
- Graziano Pelle has hit seven goals and three assists in 14 appearances
- The Italy international’s last two strikes have had the final say
- Pelle previously fired home the final goal versus Aston Villa
Ruthless Pelle to pose problems for rudderless Villans
Southampton host Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup, and will surely field their big-guns against a Premier League foe, particularly with Sadio Mane suspended, leaving the door open for dangerman Graziano Pelle to impress again.
Prolific Pelle has never been on a losing side versus the Villans, and notched against the struggling side when they met in the previous campaign. Crucially, in that outing, the Italian attacker struck the final deadly blow in a 6-1 drubbing at St Mary’s and appears to have developed a knack of netting last.
With poacher Pelle’s past two hits this term both the final goals in their respective games, the Azzurri capped star makes sense at 7/2 to be last on the scoresheet again when up against an adrift Aston Villa.
Saints have excellent record in fixture
The south coast club have been defeated by their Birmingham-based opponents just once in their past six battles, so Ronald Koeman and co should not be too concerned about their guests, having grabbed six goals in their previous Capital One Cup clash.
Southampton have scored in all of their previous six scuffles across all competitions, with a superb 17 strikes clocked-up in that time.
By contrast, Villa are unstable after losing coach Tim Sherwood, have lost four tussles on the trot and failed to keep a clean sheet in all of those outings, so could make perfect cannon-fodder for predator Pelle.
Southampton and sharpshooter strong at St Mary’s
Saints have been defeated just twice on home turf this term so far and are unlikely to surrender such a fine record to out-of-sorts visitors Villa. While, excellent marksman Pelle also saves his most potent exploits for the St Mary’s stage, with four of his seven strikes this season in front of home fans.
This pattern also occurred last campaign, as 12 from the electric Italian’s tally of 16 arrived on the south coast, with six of his haul also final goals.
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