Blues to extend their lead at top
Published:
Chelsea edging closer to the title
Premier League pace-setters Chelsea can extent their lead at the top of the division to seven points with a win over Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras from 7.45pm.
The locals go into game 33 of the season just four points ahead of nearest rivals Tottenham, having lost two of their last four starts to see a once healthy lead cut down. Chelsea knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup on Saturday, beating their fellow Londoners 4-2 at Wembley, but that dip in league form has thrown Pochettino’s side a lifeline.
Hazard boasts scoring form in this fixture
Tottenham are away to neighbours Crystal Palace on Wednesday, in what looks a real banana skin fixture, meaning Chelsea must pile the pressure on with a 25th league win of the season. Click here to have your say on the outcome of this match.
Defeat to Crystal Palace and Manchester United this month takes their number of league defeats this season to five. They did bag a handy win in the reverse of this fixture back in October however, taking a 2-0 verdict from St Mary’s. Hazard opened the scoring that day, with just six-minutes on the clock, before Costa doubled the advantage early in the second-half.
Those with confidence in the home dressing room can back them to win to nil again here, at a tempting 13/10, while Hazard to repeat the feat and break the deadlock is a 4/1 shot. Our traders have marked up a special bet for those keen to keep the Belgian close – Hazard to score anytime and Chelsea to win at 7/4, enhanced from 5/4.
We’re big on the Saints
Going to Stamford Bridge is never an easy task, but there is, perhaps, an argument for this game coming at the right time for The Saints. Their hosts are feeling the pressure in the title race, with Spurs breathing down their neck, and coming in on the back of that league defeat to Man Utd and emotional cup win over Spurs, this may be the perfect time to play them.
Southampton have clawed their way into the top-10, currently sitting in ninth, but there’s very little in it in the middle, with four points the gap between themselves and Burnley down in 16th. Southampton’s recent form has been a tad sketchy too, losing two, vs Spurs and Man City, winning two, vs Palace and West Brom, and drawing with Bournemouth.
Claude Puel’s side were last seen going down 3-0 to a rampant Man City, with Kompany scoring the opener and inspiring The Citizens to build on that, through strikes from Sane and Aguero. The away win has been written off as a 7/1 outsider, and that speaks volumes. We don’t see Southampton getting anything in London, and are prepared to reward you handsomely if you fancy taking us on.
