Southampton vs Chelsea Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in five of Southampton’s last six games and in six of Chelsea’s last eight.
• Chelsea won the reverse fixture 3-1.
• Saints’ league games are averaging 2.8 goals-per-game.
• Chelsea have won each of their last six away games.

Chelsea looking to respond at Saints

Chelsea suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in midweek and will be desperate to bounce back at Southampton on Saturday.

The second leg of that last eight tie will of course be Chelsea’s priority, but they still have some work to do to ensure they qualify for Europe’s top competition next season.

Southampton managed to bring an end to a four-game losing run last weekend as they secured a 1-1 draw at Leeds but this is a far bigger test.

Chelsea are the favourites to come away with three points but the fact they have that second leg against Los Blancos to think about has encouraged me to look elsewhere, and the goals markets appeal.

Good clash for overs backers?

The reverse fixture finished 3-1 to Chelsea back in October and there is a reasonable chance we could see a few goals when these two sides meet at St Mary’s.

Southampton have been leaking goals of late and have conceded 13 goals across their last five games, scoring four themselves, while Chelsea have shipped seven in their last two having suffered a shock 4-1 defeat to Brentford last weekend before their loss to Real.

Over 2.5 goals looks a good option as there have been at least three goals scored in five of Southampton’s last six games and in six of Chelsea’s last eight across all competitions.

Chelsea the team in need of points

Southampton are destined for a mid-table finish but the visitors still need a few wins to make sure they finish in the top four. I’m also expecting a reaction from Chelsea after two disappointing losses, and they will be keen to build a bit of momentum before they head to the Bernabeu in midweek.

Saints should be able to get on the scoresheet as the Blues’ defence has looked out of sorts, to say the least, over the last few weeks but ultimately the visitors may be able to claim a fairly comfortable win and a repeat 3-1 win for Chelsea has some appeal in the correct score market. Saints have conceded eight goals in total in their last three home games, but they have also scored in each of their last 16 at St Mary’s and Chelsea’s struggles have come at Stamford Bridge as they have won their last six away games in all competitions.

Southampton Predicted Lineup: Forster, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Livramento, Salisu, Romeu, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Adams, Long

Chelsea Predicted Lineup: Mendy, Silva, Azpilicueta, Rüdiger, Christensen, James, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Havertz, Pulisic