Tag: Southampton

FA Cup Fourth Round Preview

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The FA Cup Fourth Round draw did not exactly provide us with a feast of big matches and it is difficult to see where, if any, the major shocks will be.

Chelsea and Man City both have relatively easy home matches against Bradford City and Middlesbrough respectively. The Blues have the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool on Tuesday night and then Man City in the Premiership on Sunday. Fortunately for Mourinho, he has a fully-fit squad and afford the luxury of some squad rotation.

Bradford are priced at 28-1 but a more likely outcome is a repeat of Chelsea’s 3-0 third round victory over Watford. There has been speculation that the Blues were willing to part with Andre Schurrle but he is in the line-up on Saturday and can score in a comfortable home win.

City had an unusual prep for the home tie with Middlesbrough by playing in Dubai. They are likely to field a strong enough team to see off Boro with Sergio Aguero looking to recover his goal scoring form. Predicting the line-up is almost as difficult as forecasting the result but I’d expect Aguero to score in another home win for the champions.

There are two all-Premiership games with Southampton at home to Crystal Palace and Tottenham facing Leicester. Spurs were poor against Sheffield United on Wednesday and grateful to escape with a 1-0 advantage to take to the second leg. Leicester have been battling away but you have to wonder about the merits of a Cup run whilst they struggle to avoid relegation.

Crystal Palace seem to have been revitalised by the arrival of Alan Pardew and their clash with Southampton is a tricky one. The Saints needed a replay to get past Ipswich in round 3 and they could face a similar scenario here. The late kick-off sees Liverpool host Bolton, another side buoyed by a new coach in the shape of Neil Lennon. The former Celtic boss has only lost one in twelve since joining the Trotters but Liverpool may just edge this one.

Sunday should see Arsenal and West Ham go through safely, at Brighton and Bristol City respectively. Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil could make their return for the Gunners as Arsene Wenger’s squad gradually approaches full fitness. Arsenal could be worth a bet on the handicap in this one while the Hammers deserve to go further in the competition after their epic battle with Everton.

Andre Schurrle scores and Chelsea win @5-4 Paddy Power

Sergio Aguero scores and Man City win @8-11 Ladbrokes

Southampton v Crystal Palace DRAW @3-1 Bet365

Tottenham to win by one goal @11-4 Sky Bet

Liverpool to win by one goal @3-1 Ladbrokes

West Ham to beat Bristol City @21-20 BetVictor

Arsenal (-1.0 handicap) to win @7-5 Paddy Power

Premier League Preview 17th-19th January

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Chelsea have an opportunity to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday when they visit Swansea. Their task seems to have been made a little easier by the sale of Wilfried Bony to Man City in midweek, although the Blues still need to banish their nightmare performance at White Hart Lane from their minds.

Victories over Watford and Newcastle have steadied the ship and both were achieved without conceding. It will be interesting to see whether Petr Cech is allowed to keep his place with Courtois fit to resume between the posts. After a sleepy first half last week against the Magpies, the Blues turned on the style in the second half with Diego Costa looking particularly sharp. He does not look happy until he’s scored and he can continue to be a thorn in the bookmakers’ side.

Champions Man City do not play until Sunday when they welcome Arsenal to the Etihad. The Gunners have looked good against mediocre opposition but their defeat to Southampton was a reminder that they still have to improve to cement a top four spot. City were held last week by Everton despite the return of Aguero in the second half. He may need a couple of games to get back to full fitness and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arsenal grab a point from this one.

The match of the day this week could be at Loftus Road where Harry Redknapp’s QPR host Man United. Rangers extended their awful away form to ten successive defeats at Burnley but are tough to beat at home, suffering only two defeats so far this season. United faltered at home to a well organised Southampton side on Sunday and this could be quite a scrap. I’m going for goals in this one and United to escape with a 3-2 victory.

The rest of the weekend’s fixtures are less inspiring and it may be worth linking several of them up as draws. Liverpool may make hard work of beating Aston Villa and the same goes for Tottenham at home to Sunderland. The games at Leicester, Burnley and Newcastle could all go the same way. Southampton may have been impressive at Old Trafford but the Magpies put up a good fight at Stamford Bridge and won’t be a pushover.

The Monday night game sees Everton host West Brom with the spotlight still on Roberto Martinez after their unlucky FA Cup exit at West Ham. They showed battling spirit in that match and against City last weekend but are no certainty to beat Albion.

Liverpool to beat Villa by one goal @13-5 Ladbrokes

Burnley v Crystal Palace DRAW @9-4 Bet365

Leicester v Stoke DRAW @12-5 Betfred

QPR 2 Man United 3 @28-1 Bet365

QPR v Man United over 3.5 goals at 21-10 BetVictor

Diego Costa scores and Chelsea win @13-8 Paddy Power

Swansea 0 Chelsea 2 @13-2 BetVictor

Newcastle v Southampton DRAW @12-5 Ladbrokes

Tottenham to beat Sunderland by one goal @14-5 BetVictor

West Ham v Hull DRAW @11-4 Bet365

Man City v Arsenal DRAW @3-1 Betfair

Everton v West Brom DRAW @13-5 Coral

Cash in on Super Saints at 6-1

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Southampton stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and now head to Ipswich in search of a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The incredible first season in charge for Ronald Koeman came off the back of a summer that appeared to see a mass exodus of star players from St Mary’s. The forecasters of doom were in their element and even Morgan Schneiderlin sought reassurances about the clubs ambitions.

Those predictions look pretty silly now with Saints sitting in third position and as short as 7-4 to finish in the top four for an unprecedented Champions League spot. The wheels appeared to have come off in November with five straight defeats but they are firmly back on an even keel now.

A hard-fought draw against Chelsea and a win over Arsenal preceded Sunday’s victory. Koeman has admitted that he hates the squad rotation methods used by other Premiership sides and will always try to use the best side available to him. Understandably, he was not pleased to be taken to a replay by Ipswich but he is unlikely to change his approach now.

Ipswich are now slouches and are third in the Championship but they are reported to be struggling with a virus that force three midfield players home earlier this week. Mick McCarthy has tried to play it down but there must be a real danger that Ipswich struggle to put a fit team out on Wednesday night. If that is the case, the Saints must be great value in the win and goal markets.

32Red and Paddy Power are offering 6-1 about a Southampton win to new customers up to a maximum of ten pounds. That looks very tempting if you do not already have an account with them. I also like the chances of Pelle getting on the score-sheet here. It was his shot that cannoned back to Tadic on Sunday and he was always a threat in the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s.

Wednesday’s other big tie sees an all-Premiership clash between Spurs and Burnley. Tottenham fans are well used to the roller-coaster ride and had hardly returned to earth after beating Chelsea before suffering a defeat at Crystal Palace. Reports suggest that Harry Kane will not be in the squad on Wednesday while Sean Dyche likes consistency as much as Koeman does at Southampton.

Burnley are a good, honest team and have shown great determination to get points against Man City and Newcastle recently. They thoroughly deserved their win over QPR on Saturday and could be over-priced if Pochettino is too casual about his team selection.

Southampton to win @6-1 32Red & Paddy Power*

*special offer new customers up to a maximum £10

Southampton (-1.0 handicap) @9-4 Coral

Pelle to score and Southampton win @9-4 Ladbrokes

Burnley to beat Tottenham @13-2 Bet365

Premiership Preview 10th-11th January

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The Premiership returns after last weekend’s FA Cup third round and battle is resumed between Chelsea and Man City.

The two teams are now locked together with the Blues ahead in alphabetical order only. The jury is still out as to whether Chelsea’s awful defensive performance at Tottenham was just a blip or exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in the side. They are certainly no longer regarded as “invincible” having already lost at Newcastle.

They now welcome the Magpies to Stamford Bridge and will be expected to resume normal service. The visitors are yet to find a replacement coach for Alan Pardew and will be without talisman Papiss Cisse, the player almost solely responsible for his side’s last two victories over the Blues. Despite finishing on the losing side at White Hart Lane, Eden Hazard was quite superb and he will relish this game after being rested for the FA Cup win over Watford.

One of the most astonishing statistics is that Cesc Fabregas has created more goals already (14) than any player managed in the entire 2013-14 season. Assuming he remains free from serious injury, he could easily double that tally by the end of the season. Tim Krul is back in goal for Newcastle but I’m expecting him to have a very busy afternoon and am taking Chelsea to win comfortably.

City have coughed and spluttered their way through several games without a recognised striker and now have the luxury of both Aguero and Dzeko for the trip to Goodison Park. Everton are in something of a slump and it is hard to see them turning things around on Saturday. Romelu Lukaku may have bought some valuable time for Roberto Martinez with his last-gasp equaliser against West Ham in the FA Cup last week but this is a much tougher test.

If Chelsea and City record comfortable victories, the match of the day may be the relegation clash between Burnley and QPR. Harry Redknapp’s side have lost their first nine away games, just one short of the all-time record for the Premier League. I have been very impressed with Burnley’s fighting spirit in recent matches, particularly when rescuing points at Man City and Newcastle. I’m going to go out on a limb here and forecast a 3-2 result, although I am not sure which way it will go.

Leicester have also found some battling qualities in recent weeks and can beat Aston Villa at home. Arsenal should be too strong for Stoke on Sunday but the game of the day is the clash between Man United and Southampton at Old Trafford. The Saints have bounced back from a run of five defeats to keep their lofty position in the table. They were deserving winners over Arsenal recently and can hold United to a draw.

Chelsea (-2.0 handicap) to beat Newcastle @6-4 Skybet

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea win @6-5 Ladbrokes

Burnley 3 QPR 2 @33-1 Bet365

Burnley 2 QPR 3 @56-1 Betfair

Man City (-1.0 handicap) to beat Everton @2-1 Ladbrokes

Leicester to beat Aston Villa @6-5 Bet365

Arsenal (-1.0) to beat Stoke @11-8 Skybet

Man United v Southampton DRAW @14-5 Paddy Power

Premier League Preview Nov 29th – 30th

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If Chelsea could replay one match from last season it would be the home game against Sunderland in April. They suffered their first loss at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho after an incredible run of 77 games.

They had taken the lead early on but failed to convert several chances before allowing Sunderland back into the game. In desperately chasing a winner, they were caught out on the break and a slip from Azpilicueta resulted in a penalty that gave Sunderland all three points. The game ended with angry scenes as Mourinho’s assistant Rui Faria was sent to the stands after confronting referee Mike Dean.

After Chelsea’s brilliant performance in beating Schalke 5-0 away on Tuesday, they will be looking to continue their dominance in the Premier League with a win at the Stadium of Light. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas continue to impress and it may be worth taking a chance on the latter scoring first on Saturday. He has scored more goals against Sunderland than he has against any other Premiership side.

The early kick-off is at the Hawthorns where Arsenal will be anxious to return to winning form in the League. They have lost their last two matches against Swansea and Manchester United but steadied the ship by securing their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Alexis Sanchez is in unstoppable form at the moment but the man to support here could be Olivier Giroud. He missed the game against Dortmund as he omitted from the Champions League squad through injury. He looked very sharp when coming on and scoring against United last week.

Man United have crept quietly into the top four after a poor start. Their last-gasp equaliser against Chelsea and win at Arsenal have suddenly given the team renewed confidence. They should brush aside a dour Hull City side without too much difficulty with Rooney and Di Maria likely goal scorers.

Liverpool are something of a mystery at the moment and did not exactly shine with a 2-2 draw against Ludogorets in midweek. They are at home to Stoke and would gladly take three points in any way, shape or form right now. They should just manage it but possibly by just a single goal.

Sunday’s action features high-flying Southampton against Man City. The Saints dropped points at Villa Park on Monday and most pundits will be waiting for them to start their inevitable slide down the table over Christmas. They have some tough games ahead of them but at least they catch City on the rebound from their epic clash with Bayern Munich. Take Southampton to hold out for another draw despite the presence of Sergio Aguero.

Olivier Giroud to score and Arsenal win @9-4 Paddy Power

Cesc Fabregas to score first v Sunderland @9-1 Ladbrokes

Diego Costa to score and Chelsea win @6-5 Ladbrokes

Man United to win by 3 or more goals @31-10 Boylesports

Wayne Rooney to score and United win @7-5 Bwin

Angel Di Maria to score first v Hull @6-1 Bet365

Liverpool to win by a single goal @11-4 Skybet

Southampton and Man City DRAW @23-10 Skybet

Saints to march on at Villa Park

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High-flying Southampton visit Aston Villa on Monday night aiming to close to within four points of Premiership leaders Chelsea.

Many had forecast a difficult season for Saints after the loss of their coach and several key first-team players but such predictions have proved hopelessly wide of the mark. They surprised many on the opening day of the season at Anfield when only the woodwork prevented them from taking at least a point. Only Tottenham have managed to beat them since and they arrive at Villa Park on the back of five straight wins and eleven in their last twelve competitive fixtures.

It looks as though Dusan Tadic and Morgan Schneiderlin should be fit enough to take part but injuries are undoubtedly the biggest threat to Southampton’s impressive run of form. They have started only fifteen players so far this season while Liverpool and Manchester United have used 21 and 22 respectively. There is already talk of Koeman strengthening his squad in the January transfer window but there is a difficult run of fixtures before then.

In the course of the next month, Southampton’s mettle will be tested by both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Everton and leaders Chelsea. Most pundits will be expecting the Saints to struggle but Koeman is taking one match at a time. He is not pleased about the fixture congestion over Christmas but a victory on Monday night will further underline their claims for a top four spot.

Aston Villa started the season brightly but Paul Lambert’s side have fallen away badly in recent weeks. They have only taken a point from their last five matches and it is hardly the run of form that Lambert would have wanted to bring into his 100th game at the helm. That goalless draw at Upton Park at least showed that his players are battling to stop the rot, although the injuries to Fabian Delph and Philippe Senderos and the suspension of Christian Benteke are severe blows.

Graziano Pelle has already scored 10 times this season for Saints and he could be the difference between the sides. Villa keeper Brad Guzan had to work overtime to keep West Ham at bay and can be expected to be busy again this evening. Southampton have knuckled down when they have needed to in recent weeks and I can see them poaching another win here.

Tips

Pelle to score and Southampton to win @9-4 Betfred

Southampton to win by one goal @5-2 Bet365