Chelsea vs Southampton

  • Chelsea have scored two or more goals in 5 of their last 6 games in the premier league.
  • 3 of Chelsea’s 4 premier league games have seen over 2.5 goals.
  • Danny Ings has continued his fine form this season with 3 goals in his opening 4 games as well as scoring for England last week

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals

Chelsea have failed to fully convince so far this season. Roman Abramovich whacked out his chequebook and made some marquee signings in the shape of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Tiago Silva but they’ve failed to fully gel as of yet.

They have brought in a keeper though, which was probably the key position they needed upgrading after Kepa has had blunder after blunder. Edouard Mendy should get the nod here. There’s plenty of options going forward for Frank Lampard but he’s yet to strike the right balance.

Southampton had a poor start to the season with a couple of disappointing losses, especially their drubbing at St Mary’s against Spurs. Ralph Hassenhuttl has done a good job on the whole but his high pressing style can leave gaps to exploit behind their defence and they’ll have to keep an eye on Timo Werner, one of the best at getting into 1 on 1 scenarios.

Going forward though, the intense press tends to bare fruit. Saints were top 8 on the performance data last season and are again this campaign. They’re one of the few teams that operate with two strikers with Danny Ings and Che Adams, backed up by an energetic midfield. They will cause this Chelsea team problems, just as they did at Stamford Bridge last season.

Goals could well be on the agenda here and the even-money offered on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals could well appeal. Chelsea’s defence looks far from comfortable when pressed, however they have the type of player to make a mockery of Southampton’s defence just like Spurs did so goals at both ends are to be expected.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals - 1.5pts @ 1/1