Sun 1 Dec 2013 16:10 – Chelsea v Southampton (Stamford Bridge)

Referee: Michael Oliver

Chelsea are still unbeaten at home this season and Jose Mourinho’s impressive record of being unbeaten in league games at Stamford Bridge continues thanks to a dubious refereeing decision against West Brom. It is because of this home record that Southampton are priced as high as 6/1 to win this game despite having a fairly good away record of their own and trailing Chelsea by just 2 points in the league. If you do decide to back Southampton, there is even better value available by backing them to win a by a single goal.

Chelsea are still without Samuel Eto’o and David Luiz while the Saints could welcome back Lovren after an absence through illness.

There are very few stand-out markets in this game with both the corner and under/over 2.5 goals markets providing no clear indication of how this game could pan out. Chelsea score an average of 2.3 goals per game at home while the Saints manage an average of just 0.8 per game away from home. However, Southampton have restricted their previous opponents to an average of just 0.8 goals per game.

The home win looks to be the most likely outcome but there may be some value in backing the away team by a single goal. West Brom nearly broke Chelsea’s unbeaten home record last time out and if Mauricio Pochettino’s team can keep up their steady away form they could produce a surprise or at last steal a point at Stamford Bridge.